Long jail terms for violent North Shore rampage

Harlem Kirton and Piri Kirton face the court. Photo / Greg Bowker

One of the victims of the North Shore attackers faced them in court yesterday to tell them they weren't as tough as they thought they were.

Denis Khotchenko spent months recovering after he and his then partner Valeriya Nesterova were set upon by Ruaumoko Taiapa, Harlem Kirton, Piri Kirton and Jono Wilson while they relaxed at Milford Beach.

Yesterday, the four were sentenced in the Auckland District Court to between 9 and 14 years' jail for the attack and other assaults committed as they went on a violent rampage on January 15last year.

Taiapa was jailed for 14 years, Harlem Kirton, 11 years, and Piri Kirton and Jono Wilson for 9.

They pleaded guilty during their trial in August to charges of aggravated robbery, causing grievous bodily harm and assault with intent to rob.

Taiapa's mother, Kiriana Taiapa, was sentenced to four months' home detention for being an accessory after the fact.

She hid weapons used in the attack after her son was arrested.

Mr Khotchenko was the only victim to read his victim impact statement in court. He said that when he saw photos of his attackers in the Herald after they were arrested, it looked as though they were acting like "proud gangsters".

"Now, faced with the consequences, they're acting like puppies."

Mr Khotchenko said he would never forget the "blood all over the place" and didn't enjoy being alone in the outdoors any more.

Prosecutor Deb Bell sought the maximum sentence of 14 years' jail because of the "gratuitous violence" inflicted upon the victims.

Judge Christopher Field said by any standard the assaults were very serious. Aggravated factors were the long-term harm to the victims - Ms Nesterova still needs surgery to her ear - and their vulnerability and isolation "with no help available to them".

The attacks to the head, the fact there were multiple offenders and the premeditation involved were also significant, he said.

"This case calls for sentences that deter others from this sort of activity and, I hope, to protect the community."

He regarded Ruaumoko Taiapa as a "prime mover" and while he understood he'd had a difficult life, he also had a bad record for violent offending.

The fact the group had been drinking heavily before the attacks was no excuse, Judge Field said.

He imposed non-parole periods greater than the standard third of sentence for Taiapa, Harlem Kirton and Wilson because of the seriousness of the offences.

The judge said Piri Kirton was less criminally responsible than the others and did not impose a minimum non-parole period on him.

Outside court, Mr Khotchenko said people like the four men deserved to be in jail. "They shouldn't be out walking around."

The sentencing had provided closure. "I was waiting for it to be over ... To look at those guys again was not something I wanted to do."

THE SENTENCES

Ruaumoko Taiapa

14 years, must serve at least 8 years.

Judge Christopher Field said he placed little faith in Taiapa's sincerity.

Harlem Kirton

11 years, must serve at least six years.

Was told that drinking heavily before the attacks was "no mitigation".

Piri Kirton

9 years, must serve a third of the sentence.

Was 16 at the time of the attacks but Judge Field said his youth was not a mitigating factor, although it wasn't clear of the "exact role" he played.

Jono Wilson

9 years, with minimum non-parole period of six years.

Pre-sentencing report revealed he had little insight into what he had done.

Said Judge Field: "It would be no surprise if you did not feel sorry at this stage of proceedings."

Kiriana Taiapa

Four months' home detention for being an accessory after the fact.

Judge Field said she now accepted what she did and might not have known how serious the assaults were when she hid the weapons used.