Indefinite jail for man who 'callously' shot liquor store worker

11.40am

A former King Cobra gang member has been sentenced to preventive detention for shooting a liquor store worker at point blank range during a robbery.

The offence was Gustavis William Job's seventh involving a firearm in a criminal career spanning 20 years.

Job, 45, was found guilty by a jury in the High Court at Auckland of robbing the Russell Rd Liquor in Manurewa on May 31 last year and wounding Paul Taueli with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.

The jury found him not guilty of attempting to murder Mr Taueli, who was shot in the neck as he lay defenceless on the floor.

Imposing a minimum seven year non-parole period, Justice Barry Paterson today told Job: "A factor which I cannot ignore in this case is that you went into that shop with a firearm, lent over the counter and deliberately shot a helpless victim, who had co-operated with your every demand, while that victim lay on the floor.

"You were extremely lucky that you did not face a homicide charge."

Crown prosecutor Howard Lawry said preventive detention for offences of violence was relatively uncommon, but Job's history of escalating offending and the facts of this case made him a candidate.

A psychiatrist there was a high risk of Job re-offending in a violent manner.

Mr Lawry told the judge that after being handed the till and some alcohol, Job pointed the gun towards Mr Taueli's head and pulled the trigger.

The bullet lodged very close to his spine. Both Mr Taueli and the female shop manager feared they were going to die.

"This was the worst or near the worst aggravated robbery. Mr Job callously shot Mr Taueli despite his co-operation and despite the fact that he had been given everything that he had asked for. Mr Taueli could easily have been killed," Mr Lawry said.

Defence counsel Geoff Wells said Job continued to deny he was the robber.

He asked for a finite sentence which would protect the public, yet provide light at the end of the tunnel and an incentive for Job to sort his life out, get out of jail and live the rest of his life in a responsible way with his children and grandchildren.

Justice Paterson told Job that preventive detention should not be seen as taking away hope.

"You have an opportunity to show that the steps you have taken are genuine and if you do so, it is for the parole board to decide in seven years whether you are any longer a risk to the public."

- HERALD STAFF