Man jailed for attacking woman, stealing car

A man has been jailed for six years after admitting attacking a woman and stealing her new BMW.

Tatupu Jason Patea, 29, was told by Judge Peter Butler in Wellington District Court that he would have to serve at least three years of that sentence.

The woman had been walking her dogs when Patea followed her to her Wellington home on December 5 last year.

He attacked her in the driveway and took her keys. When he failed to start the car, he attacked her again, threatening to kill her and her dogs.

He eventually drove off, but police found and chased him. He eventually crashed the car, writing it off, the Dominion Post reported.

Patea pleaded guilty to aggravated wounding, two charges of burglary, two of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, three of theft, failing to stop for police, dangerous driving, driving while forbidden, breach of bail and breach of community work.

Judge Butler said Patea had other victims. He had stolen another car from a man who had helped him, taken $300 from a 85-year-old stroke victim on a mobility scooter, followed a 83-year-old man home from the TAB to take his winnings and stolen a handbag from a woman minding nine children at a park.

- NZPA