Taupo teen admits drive-by shooting involvement

A Taupo teenager who took part in a daylight drive-by shooting - in which the victim was shot in the scrotum - has admitted his involvement in the incident.

Leighton Tarewa Anderson, 17, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm in Taupo District Court on Wednesday, the Rotorua Daily Post reported.

Anderson was the front seat passenger in a car with three others when they drove past the victim and someone else in the car shot him.

The .22 bullet hit the man in the scrotum and lodged 15cm into his right thigh, Judge Chris McGuire said. The victim was taken to hospital but his injuries were not life threatening.

However, although he was not the one in the vehicle who pulled the trigger, Judge McGuire said Anderson was still in the front seat and was part of a "joint enterprise".

"You went back and yelled obscenities at the victims who ran for the fear of their lives."

Anderson was remanded in custody due to be sentenced in the Rotorua District Court on May 27.

The other two involved are still to enter pleas and will appear in court later this month.

- NZPA