Jailed trio 'all leaders' in dairy robbery

Benjamin Peeni, 40, Alistair Peeni, 22, and Ngapani Pratt, 29, appeared in the Whangarei District Court this week in relation to the robbery of One Tree Point Store in Ruakaka on April 12 this year.

A judge told three men who admitted robbing a Whangarei dairy of cigarettes and Easter eggs they were equally responsible for the crime before sending them to jail.

Benjamin Peeni, 40, Alistair Peeni, 22, and Ngapani Pratt, 29, appeared in the Whangarei District Court this week in relation to the robbery of One Tree Point Store in Ruakaka on April 12 this year.

Benjamin Peeni and Pratt earlier admitted one charge of aggravated robbery, while Alistair Peeni pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, driving while disqualified, failing to stop and theft of a computer tablet and petrol. He stole a Toyota Corolla from the Okara Shopping Centre on April 10 after the vehicle owner left the keys in the ignition and went shopping at Countdown. The car was used during the aggravated robbery and later abandoned at the Takahiwai Rugby League grounds in Ruakaka.

Judge McDonald said the dairy owner thought the trio would kill his family, as he thought Benjamin Peeni was carrying a firearm. The dairy owner's first attempt to press a panic button failed but when he succeeded in a second attempt, the trio fled with $8500 worth of cigarettes and Easter eggs.

"There were no followers here, you were all leaders. Shopkeepers often alone are targeted by thugs such as yourselves in an attempt to get cigarettes or money," Judge McDonald said.

Crown prosecutor Catherine Gisler submitted a starting point of five years was appropriate, given the fact there were multiple offenders, all were disguised, and they targeted the dairy at a significant time of the day when the public could have been present. The dairy was robbed about 5pm.

Benjamin Peeni's lawyer, Dave Sayes, said it was a run-in and grab with little confrontation and referred to an apology letter written to the victims.

Mr Sayes disputed a starting point of five years, which he said was inconsistent with the facts of the case and the fact no weapons were used.

Alistair Peeni's lawyer, Baden Meyer, described the aggravated robbery as a "spontaneous, stupid and criminal act" carried out with pretty primitive and basic planning. Aaron Dooney, representing Pratt, pointed to the early guilty plea but conceded a modest uplift for his previous convictions was appropriate.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Peter Rankin sought cumulative terms for Alistair Peeni, who he said offended while on bail.

Alistair was jailed for four years and eight months, Pratt and four years and one month, and Benjamin Peeni for three years and seven months.