A gang member who drove over a rival patch-wearer after a dispute over gang territory in Napier did not intend to hurt the victim, a judge said as he sentenced the driver in Napier District Court yesterday.
Black Power Hawke's Bay member Jamie Lesley Jones, 32, pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon, namely a Mitsubishi Legnum station.
Mongrel Mob member Louis Keil, 49 at the time, received multiple fractures as Jones reversed his vehicle over him. Jones told police he only meant to scare Keil and thought he would get out of the way.
Keil spent about three months in hospital and was expected to have a permanent limp.
Jones, a disqualified driver and on bail awaiting hearing of another charge of driving while disqualified, drove off and was not arresteduntil more than three weeks later.