Nomads boss vows to go straight after serving prison term

Rebels members were among the 31 people arrested during Operation Stamp this month. Photo / Supplied

The Far North president of the Nomads gang, vowing to go straight, has handed in his patch - but first he has to serve a jail term of five years and two months for drug offences and injuring a prison guard.

Michael Moses, 40, was sentenced by Judge Keith de Ridder in the Whangarei District Court after pleading guilty to 28 counts of offering to supply methamphetamine, or P, seven of conspiracy to supply P, and one each of offering to supply LSD, offering to supply cannabis oil, conspiracy to supply cannabis and injuring with reckless disregard.

Judge de Ridder said Moses had made a substantial income from selling drugs, with some used to "look after the boys" and to make sure his children had food, but expensive motorbikes had also been bought with the takings.

However, after being arrested in February 2010, a year in custody had given him time to think about his future.

He now wanted to become a pastor or counsellor to help troubled youth stay out of prison.

The judge said a probation officer had assessed Moses as at medium risk of re-offending, but that risk would increase if he did not break from the gang culture.

"You say you are now 40 and desperate for a change of lifestyle.

"You refer to the fact that your wife is now in prison and your children are out there without their parents and you take full responsibility for that," the judge told him.

Moses had handed in his patch and cut ties with the gang and if he did go straight and moved into counselling or the church, he had a lot to offer at-risk youth.

Judge de Ridder remitted almost $20,000 worth of fines in exchange for a jail term of three months, to be served concurrently.

- APN