Two men jailed for assault on Mongrel Mob member

Photo / File

Two Murupara men found guilty of seriously assaulting another man who was left with broken teeth and cuts and bruising all over his body, have been sent to jail.

However, they have both been told they can seek leave to apply for home detention if in the future suitable addresses can be found.

Rory Tewarena Hanuera, 20, and Dylan Duff-Martin, 20, were found guilty by a Rotorua District Court jury in May of injuring Justin Higgins with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.

Duff-Martin has been sentenced to 12 months' jail. He was also disqualified from driving for six months after he pleaded guilty to a charge each of dangerous driving and failing to stop.

Hanuera, who was found guilty of being a party to the charge of injuring with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm, was sentenced to 10 months' jail.

The court heard earlier that Mr Higgins, who is a member of the Mongrel Mob, suffered broken teeth, bruising and cuts to his face, head and body after being kicked and punched during the early hours of January 20 last year at a Murupara property, where he had gone to find his girlfriend. People affiliated with the Tribesmen were at the party.

Another man, Sonny Savage, was attacked later in the morning.

Judge James Weir said there were no suitable addresses for home detention to be imposed at this stage for Hanuera and Duff-Martin but told them he would grant them leave to apply for home detention in the future.

Another man Chevy Miki, 23, who was found guilty of injuring Mr Savage with intent to injure, was sentenced to six months' home detention.

Francis Te Tuhi Hanuera, 24, was sentenced to six months' home detention after pleading guilty to a charge of assaulting Mr Savage with intent to injure.

Judge Weir said all four men were associated with the Tribesman gang and this was another sorry episode for the beleaguered town of Murupara.