Amir Bananfard doused his victim in petrol and tried to set him alight to stop his court testimony. Photo / Dean Purcell
Amir Bananfard doused his victim in petrol and tried to set him alight to stop his court testimony. Photo / Dean Purcell
An Iranian man has been jailed for dousing a witness in petrol and threatening to set him alight if he did not recant his police complaint.
Amir Bananfard, 39, was sentenced to two years and one-and-a-half months' imprisonment by Judge Mary-Beth Sharp in the Auckland District Court today.
He had earlier pleaded guilty to trying to dissuade an Auckland businessman, whom he was demanding money from, from giving evidence against him.
He was also charged and pleaded guilty to demanding with intent to steal, assault with intent to injure, threatening to do grievous bodily harm, and driving while disqualified.
During the afternoon of June 20 last year, Bananfard and an unknown associate went to a Mt Eden shop.
The business owner, whom the Herald has chosen not to name, was behind the store counter when Bananfard began demanding what he believed was owed cash.
Bananfard was also leaning towards the businessman and threatening him in his native tongue - Farsi.
As the Iranian left he told the businessman "it's better you pay", while his associate stole nearly $500 in Turkish cooking pots.
A month later, on July 22, Bananfard was driving his silver Honda when he noticed the shop owner also driving along Mt Eden Rd.
The Iranian drove alongside the businessman and began shouting at him to pull his car over.
The two then approached the man's store, both pulling over to the side of the road.
Feeling threatened, the businessman began calling police, but Bananfard left his car and approached the man yelling: "You have to give me money, I need money, stop the case and police."
Bananfard then grabbed the man by his sleeve while clutching a can of energy drink.
However, the can was filled with petrol.
"I will set you on fire," Bananfard said, pouring the petrol over the businessman's head.
Bananfard then took a lighter from his pocket and held it to the man.
Amir Bananfard was jailed today for more than two years. Photo / Dean Purcell
An employee at the store saw what was happening and ran towards his boss, pulling him away from Bananfard.
The businessman, fortunate to be unharmed, and his employee rushed back into the shop and alerted police.
Detective Senior Sergeant Glenn Baldwin earlier told the Herald Bananfard was arrested the same day in Mt Eden.
The court heard today Bananfard was suffering from substance and post-traumatic stress disorder and Judge Sharp said he had "seen much war and trauma" during his life.
Speaking through his Farsi translator at an earlier appearance, Bananfard said: "I didn't kill anyone, I did some harm. I'm happy to go home and make you guys free."
Bananfard will be deported at the conclusion of his sentence.
