September 10, 2012

Diary owner stabbed during robbery

By David Clarkson

A 17-year-old has admitted stabbing a Dallington dairy owner during a robbery attempt, and is in custody for sentence on November 29.

Dwayne Kararema Tutengaehe, also known as Whaanga, a labourer who lived near the scene of the May 20 robbery, pleaded guilty to a charge of wounding the dairy owner with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Because Tutengaehe was aged under 18 at the time of the offence, he did not qualify for a first strike warning which brings heavier penalties for repeat violent offenders.

Tutengaehe pleaded guilty at a pre-trial conference, and Judge Raoul Neave remanded him in custody for a Crown sentencing.

Police have said Tutengaehe was in the Dallington store earlier in the day and had asked the 30-year-old owner what time the store would close. He had a black eye. The victim recognised him later during the attack when his face covering fell off.

Tutengaehe got into the victim?s car as he was leaving the dairy.

The police say Tutengaehe stabbed him in the right shoulder while the man was leaning over to get the bag of the shop?s takings to give to him.

He then stabbed him four or five more times before leaving the car. The man locked the doors and drove off. He needed stitches for his wounds.

Tutengaehe was refused bail from the time of his arrest in late May and remained in custody once an application for electronically monitored bail was also refused.