Three men jailed for Bentley home invasion

Prison sentences have been handed down to all three men involved in two separate home invasions at the Bay of Plenty home of Peter and Maggie Bentley last year.

At the Rotorua District Court today, 40-year-old Hopihana Epiha was sentenced to nine years in prison for aggravated robbery and causing grievous bodily harm in the October incident.

Mano Tamati, 30, was jailed for 10 years on the same charges, and another charge of burglary relating to a raid on the Bentley property in August 2004.

Both men will serve a minimum of six years.

Ronald Hira, 28, has been sentenced to two years and four months imprisonment after pleading guilty to his part in the August invasion.

Epiha and Tamati pleaded guilty to their parts in the home invasion in October, which saw Peter Bentley attacked at his cattle farm east of Te Puke.

In victim impact statements, an emotional Peter and Maggie Bentley told the court how the morning of October 23, 2004 changed their lives forever.

They say the constant feelings of insecurity and financial loss have changed relationships within the family.

The couple had pleaded with the judge to hand down sentences reflective of the ongoing trauma caused to them.

Crown prosecutor Amanda Gordon had suggested between 12 to 14 years imprisonment was appropriate.

- NEWSTALK ZB