Teen run down, killed after gang violence, court told

One of Jordan Herewini's family members, far right, is comforted by neighbours after his death. Photo / Rotorua Daily Post

A Bay of Plenty teenager was run down and killed as he tried to flee Mongrel Mob members, a court has been told.

Jordan Herewini, 16, died in the back yard of his Murupara home after tensions between the Mongrel Mob and Tribesmen gangs turned violent, a depositions hearing at Rotorua District Court was told.

Quentin Duane Pukeroa has denied murdering Mr Herewini.

Eleven others associated with the Mongrel Mob face a range of offences, all alleged to have occurred in Murupara just prior to and following the teenager's death, The Daily Post reported.

Crown prosecutor Fletcher Pilditch said there was a tangi in Murupara on January 27 for a well-known man called Lucas Kapa.

With both Mongrel Mob and Tribesmen members in attendance there was tension in the township, 63km southeast of Rotorua.

Pukeroa and an associate, Kingi Gemmell, were sitting in a car outside an A™ machine in the shopping centre when "a number of people came upon them" and a fight broke out.

A short time later, Mongrel Mob members armed with weapons, including a tomahawk, axe and metal bar, started driving through the township in convoy, looking for those involved.

Pukeroa was seen getting into a car parked at the Herewini home, driving through a fence and chasing Jordan and his brother Jamie Herewini as they tried to escape.

Jordan tripped and fell.

"Witnesses will say he (Pukeroa) never took any evasive action, heading straight for Jordan...he was struck by the vehicle driven by the defendant Pukeroa," Mr Pilditch said.

The hearing is set down for two weeks.

- NZPA