Car driver guilty of running down man

A jury today found a Christchurch car driver guilty of running down a man during a brawl outside a party in the city.

The jury in Christchurch District Court took 75 minutes to find Sione Moli, a 22-year-old concrete worker, from Hoon Hay, guilty of wounding Garry Kapea with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He was remanded in custody for sentence on November 5, Judge Michael Crosbie signalling a substantial jail term was likely.

He declined to call for a report on Moli's suitability for home detention.

Mr Kapea was run down when a confrontation broke out in a suburban Phillipstown street on June 22 last year after gang members were ordered to leave a 21st birthday party.

He was dragged about 25m beneath the car and spent five months in hospital recovering from his injuries.

Judge Crosbie said after the verdict: "The charge carries a 14-year maximum jail term. I don't think there is any basis on which the court would get down to two years or below "not with the injuries caused to Mr Kapea".

Moli also faces sentence for driving while forbidden, arising from the same incident.

The trial heard that gang members were ordered out of the party because they were giving gang signs and wearing gang colours, apparently related to the Bloods and Crips gangs.

There was then fighting all down Stevens Street, and Moli's car was struck and damaged before he ran down Mr Kapea.

Defence counsel Elizabeth Bulger said it was an accident that occurred when he tried to drive away in panic and fear.

Crown prosecutor Tim Mackenzie said it had been done deliberately.

- NZPA