Cop shooter to appeal

Constable Jeremy Snow gives evidence in the Auckland High Court. Photo / Dean Purcell

A man who shot an Auckland police officer four times, leaving him for dead, is to appeal his conviction and sentence, his lawyer says.

Neshanderan Rajgopaul, 29, was sentenced to 18 years' jail, with a non-parole period of 10 years, when he appeared in the High Court at Auckland today.

Rajgopaul was found guilty last month of the attempted murder of Constable Jeremy Snow in December 2009, and of eight other drugs and firearms-related offences.

His lawyer, Ron Mansfield, told NZPA outside court Rajgopaul would be appealing his conviction and sentence immediately.

"He maintains his innocence vehemently," Mr Mansfield said.

Sentencing Rajgopaul, Justice Patrick Keane told him his offending was grave and he had refused to accept responsibility.

"You did not have to shoot Constable Snow. You knew he was not a threat to you. But you shot him four times, and it's extraordinarily fortunate that he did not die.

"Your attempt on Constable Snow's life was deliberate and very nearly successful. When cornered you were more than ready to use the firearm.

"You made no attempt to help him. That was the last thing on your mind as you were intent on making your escape," Justice Keane said.

In his victim impact statement, Mr Snow said he was still in pain, continued to have surgery and was months away from resuming frontline duties.

He had been diagnosed with symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder and had trouble sleeping.

He did not feel animosity toward Rajgopaul but would not be able to forgive him until he showed remorse, he said.

Getting through the trial had been a long process.

"I wanted the accused to see me and see what he had done to me but leading up to the trial I suffered more and more from anxiety," he said.

Mr Snow had suffered physically and emotionally since the incident, and was still slowly recovering.

Crown prosecutor Rachael Reed suggested Rajgopaul should be jailed for a minimum term of 12-1/2-14 years, while Rajgopaul's lawyer, Ron Mansfield, suggested 10-11 years.

Mr Mansfield acknowledged that because Rajgopaul maintained his innocence, he would not receive a sentence reduction.

"There was no pre-meditation. It's highly likely the offender could not see the police officer clearly and was firing indiscriminately, not knowing where the shots were going," Mr Mansfield said.

Justice Keane was given a letter from Rajgopaul's parents, who have continued to support their son throughout the trial.

Mr Snow was shot when he and Constable Robert Cato stopped to check a suspicious car parked in the driveway of a Papatoetoe property.

Mr Snow was rescued by armed police as he came close to dying from blood loss.

Rajgopaul admitted being a firearms and drugs dealer but denied shooting Mr Snow.

His claim Mr Snow was shot by an associate was dismissed by the jury of six men and six women.

As well as the attempted murder charge, Rajgopaul was found guilty of one charge of firing a weapon with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, guilty of three charges of unlawfully possessing a firearm, and guilty of one charge each of possessing a class A drug for supply and receiving stolen property. He was found not guilty of another charge of unlawfully possessing a firearm.

He was also found guilty of two charges of assault using a firearm as a weapon relating to incidents between September and December 2009.

He has previous convictions for being an accessory in an aggravated robbery, carrying an 8cm knife in public and possession of methamphetamine.

- NZPA