Gang dominates pod where attack took place: prison officer

When asked what percentage of prisoners in the north pod were members or affiliates of the gang, Ms Taukamo said she would rather not sayTextBox1Byline2CAPTION1Two secret witnesses are expected to give evidence from behind a screen today against a group of prisoners  who allegedly carried out a brutal bashing of a fellow inmate at Ngawha Prison.
Their identities are under wraps so they can give their evidence anonymously.
The High Court at Whangarei yesterday heard that most of the  inmates who allegedly bashed a fellow prisoner inside his cell were Black Power gang members and affiliates.
Senior corrections officer Ngarongoa Taukamo  said Black Power dominated the north pod, where  an attack on Matthew Te Hira took place.
She made the revelation while testifying during a jury trial of Jonothan Winiata Poutai, 44, Arthur Duncan Briggs, 24, Les Tasos Connelly, 28, and Lonnie Wihongi, 45.
All four prisoners have pleaded not guilty to a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Two other prisoners - Stefan Hoeer, 36, and Eru Te Whata, 20 - initially denied the charge but pleaded guilty on Wednesday and have been remanded for sentencing at a later date.
Another prisoner, Karl Hohea Heta, 44, has denied  being an accessory after the fact.
The Crown alleges Matthew Te Hira was bashed inside his cell on March 8, 2008 after a barbecue at the prison.
Prosecutor Mike Smith had earlier told the jury that the accused entered Te Hira's cell two at a time and punched, kicked and stomped on him as he lay curled up in a foetal position - then organised it so the cell was mopped up afterwards. A sock filled with batteries was allegedly used in the attack.
In her evidence, Ms Taukamo said  she believed Poutai, who the Crown alleged assisted with and directed the attack on Te Hira, was their leader.
Hoeer, Ngaau and Connelly were affiliated with that gang, she said.
Ms Taukamo said gang members were identified through tattoos, insignia, graffiti, clenched fists and the language they used.
A gang member of higher standing would get others to do chores for him such as picking up a meal, cleaning the cell or doing the laundry, she said.
Connelly acknowledged he was a Black Power member and had once been charged with gang-related graffiti in a cell and showed clenched fist on a regular basis, Ms Taukamo said.
When asked by Briggs' lawyer, Grant Anson,  what percentage of prisoners in the north pod were members or affiliates of the gang, Ms Taukamo said she would rather not say.
She was the fifth prison officer to arrive at Te Hira's cell after the alleged attack came to light.
She said Te Hira's cellmate  might have been traumatised after seeing his condition after the beating and concerned about his own safety when questioned about the alleged incident.
Te Hira was making groaning noises in response to her questions, she said.