Police arrest gang members at funeral procession in Nuhaka
7 May, 2021 01:53 AM
2 minutes to read
Gang members arrested and charged in Nuhaka. Photo / File
Hawkes Bay Today
By: Sahiban Hyde
Seven gang members and associates have appeared in the Gisborne District Court after being arrested at and near a funeral procession just short of Nuhaka.
Those arrested face a number of charges including unlawful assembly and possession of offensive weapons.
One of those arrested, a 21-year-old man, was also charged with possession of cannabis for supply, and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, following inquiries made after the vehicle stop.
Tairāwhiti Area Commander, Inspector Sam Aberahama, said the incidents were initially disclosed by a child to a school teacher. It is not clear whether the child who told the teacher was one of the children being assaulted. The police’s investigation into the claims, which was overseen by the IPCA, resulted in two representative charges of assault against children being laid in March last year. A representative charge is used if multiple offences of the same type are alleged to have been committed in similar circumstances. Aberahama said the matter was treated as police would any other investigation of this nature, including the involvement of Oranga Tamariki.
The person pleaded guilty to assaulting his children and was discharged without conviction at a sentencing in Gisborne District Court in November (file photo).
A child disclosing to a school teacher that a man had been assaulting his children prompted police charges, and an investigation involving Oranga Tamariki. The parent was discharged without conviction on two representative charges of assaulting children in November. The incidents were initially disclosed by a child to a school teacher, police said. It is not clear whether the child who told the teacher was one of the children being assaulted. The parent pleaded guilty and was discharged without conviction at a sentencing in Gisborne District Court in November.