Police reneged on deal, gang informer alleges

A high-ranking member of the Mongrel Mob who turned informer provided police with "sensational" details of the extent of gang infiltration at the Justice Department and its access to the police computer, a judge in the High Court at Auckland heard yesterday.

In addition, 38-year-old Anthony Hewison handed over a large cache of weapons from the Mob arsenal, valued at up to $40,000.

Hewison, a European who was the acting vice-president of the Upper Hutt chapter, also revealed the gang's links with Chinese triads.

When police learned of the extent of revelations about gang activity coming from such a big fish, one officer allegedly described it as "dynamite."

Hewison claims that in return for dobbing in his comrades, the police promised to set him up with a new life and a new identity in Australia.

In a video link from Australia yesterday, he said the police had double-crossed him and reneged on the deal, leaving him stranded and facing a certain death sentence if forced to return to New Zealand.

Paul Dale, appearing for Hewison with Tanya Spinka, told Justice Hugh Williams that Hewison had exhausted all available means of obtaining permanent residence in Australia.

If he lost the case, he would be sent home, where his life would be at extreme risk from the Mongrel Mob.

Mr Dale said there was a binding agreement between Hewison and the police, but unfortunately it was not in writing.

The real issue was the terms of the contract.

Hewison is claiming $170,000 in damages, but more importantly is seeking a declaration from the judge that the police promised to move him and his family in Australia, with a new identity as their part of the deal.

"The plaintiff's only hope is that if this court makes a declaration in his favour, the Australian Immigration Department will form a favourable view of a further attempt to remain in Australia," Mr Dale said.

"If the plaintiff returns to New Zealand, he believes he has little hope of surviving."

The Crown, represented by Ross Burns, said there was no agreement about arranging a new identity for Hewison in Australia.

Hewison told the judge he was angry and bitter at the way the police had treated him.

He received $6300, about $4800 of that for airfares.

He said he put his trust in the police assurance that he would be moved to Australia, and provided valuable information in return.

"I cannot believe that they are trying to suggest that I would put the lives of myself, my wife and family at risk for the sake of a few dollars."

If it was money he wanted, he could get it through the Mongrel Mob.

Mr Dale described some of the information Hewison provided to the police as nothing short of "sensational."

The judge made an interim suppression order concerning some of the details of Hewison's evidence.

However, in his opening address, Mr Dale told the court the information was very significant. It included the names of Mongrel Mob contacts within the Justice Department; how the Mob was structured; details of crimes the Mob had committed; details of the Mob's involvement in drug importation and manufacture; the gang's connections with triads; the Mob's contacts within the police training college and prison centres, and how those contacts kept the Mob regularly informed; and details of the Mob's access to the police computer.

Mr Dale queried why the police failed to "honour their bargain."

Possibilities included officers' dislike of members of the Mongrel Mob, Hewison's seniority in the gang, and resentment at the degree of infiltration that the Mob had achieved.

"The police officers may have thought this was an appropriate way of teaching the plaintiff a lesson," Mr Dale said.

The police officers' assertion that they were unable in law to assist the plaintiff to get into Australia was either "not true or a half-truth."

Mr Dale said that Hewison's wife would give evidence that she was given repeated assurances that they would be relocated in Australia with a new identity.

They would be provided with money until Hewison found work.

If Hewison were turned back at the Australian border, she was told, the police would bring him back through "Government diplomatic channels."

But Mr Dale said that despite the promises, Hewison and his family were left "on their own."

The hearing continues today.