A man's decision to deny being involved in a home invasion and demands for drugs and cash near Napier last year has helped see him sentenced to 10 years' jail - four more than the co-offender who admitted the charges.
Judge Geoff Rea said the pair was seen by neighbours who noted descriptions of a vehicle at the scene of the attack at Awatoto on October 5 and a short time afterwards offender Warren Michael Dunn, 25, of Napier, used a stolen mobile phone.
But he still chose to deny he was involved, claims a jury rejected at a trial almost four weeks ago, leading to Dunn's conviction on charges of aggravated burglary, kidnapping (unlawful detention), intentionally causing grievous bodily harm, injuring with intent, and intentional damage.
But co-offender Elliott David Harmer pleaded guilty and in July was sentenced by Judge Bridget Mackintosh to six years' jail, where he marked his 40th birthday earlier this month.
The pair arrived at the address about 8pm, and entered the house, where they were disturbed by a 19-year-old man who was alone in the house. Amid a string of demands for cash, drugs, and "leathers", the pair carried-out a prolonged assault, in which Harmer struck the occupant on the head with a hammer and Dunn swung an iron bar into the man's knee.
