Six years jail for attacks on hairdresser and prisoner

A Nelson teenager who bashed and stomped hairdresser Brent Powell in October has been jailed for six years. File photo / NZ Herald

A Nelson teen who carried out an unprovoked and gratuitous attack on a hairdresser has been sentenced to six years' jail.

Akuhata Taylor Tihi, 17, bashed and stomped on Nelson hairdresser Brent Powell last October 2, leaving him in the street with serious brain injuries. He was not found for seven hours, by which time he was hypothermic, the Nelson Mail reported.

Judge John Walker said in Nelson District Court today the attack was unprovoked and gratuitous.

Tihi's sentence was also for an assault on another prisoner while he was on remand.

- NZPA