Big funeral tipped for slain gangster

Police are expecting a big funeral tomorrow for Ricky "Boof" Burnard, a former president of the Timaru Road Knights, who was shot in Christchurch last Wednesday.

Police gang liaison officers describe him only as a former Road Knights member but others say the 42-year-old had made enemies in the gang world.

His death, a long way from family and friends - he had no fixed abode - reinforced the man-on-the-run scenario painted by some sources.

He no longer lived in Timaru, the home of his girlfriend and their two children, despite being described as "a very good dad" to his daughter, 12, and son, 10. His sister and mother also live in Timaru.

And it is to Timaru that Mr Burnard's body will return for his funeral. Timaru police say they expect it to be a big event.

A family friend said after his death on Wednesday: "He was a very popular boy."

But Mr Burnard was less popular with police, having been known to them since the 1990s.

Former Christchurch police gang liaison officer Richard Neale confirmed that Mr Burnard was a past Road Knights president, at least until three years ago.

Last year Mr Burnard's name was linked with a police drugs sting known as Operation Diablo and he was believed to have longstanding links to the serious drugs trade in Christchurch.

Mr Burnard was one of several people, including Christchurch strip club boss James Samson, charged with operating a methamphetamine manufacture and supply ring, although the judge discharged Mr Burnard before the trial through lack of evidence.

Dave Bunce, who defended Mr Burnard, said if his client had gone to prison it could have saved his life. He said he was always reasonably pleasant to deal with.

- NZPA