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Offender Databases Hetariki Brightwell

Hetariki Tehau Brightwell

Alias

.

Offences

Assaulted an Opunake man with intent to injure in August 2001

Victims

.

Offender Affiliations

Shiloh Mareikura

Gang affiliations

none known

Age

Born 1983

Current Location

At large

Parole/Release Dates

Sentenced to 18 months in November 2001
Re-sentenced to 6 months suspended for 2 years
Released November 2001

Background
From a Daily News article 07/02/2002
AN OPUNAKE man was jailed for eight months after admitting a king hit on a man in the town's main street last year. Shiloh Dallas Mareikura (21) pleaded guilty in the New Plymouth District Court to assault with intent to injure of one man and assault of another on August 30. His 18-year-old co-offender was last year given a six-month jail sentence, suspended for two years. Mareikura's lawyer, Jackson Webber, said provocative racial taunts led to a volatile situation which then erupted into violence. Mr Webber said Mareikura had not kicked the man on the ground. His involvement was nothing more than throwing a few punches. Injuries were more likely caused by the co-offender. Mareikura denied smoking cannabis the previous day had anything to do with the assault, Mr Webber said.

Judge Chris Harding said Mareikura and his co-offender had tried to get into a cafe but were denied entry. Racial taunts were made and Mareikura delivered a king hit to a man who dropped to his knees and was kicked by the co-offender. The man was knocked unconscious for 30 minutes, needing hospital care for extensive injuries and still woke at night with breathing problems and dizzy spells. When the victim's friend intervened Mareikura also hit him. Mareikura said his actions were self-defence. The defendant had a significant history of violent offending, the judge said. Witnesses described it as a cowardly attack by two young males trying to prove themselves. It was disturbing Mareikura had not expressed remorse but shifted blame, the judge said. The sentence would deter others for behaviour that "was far too prevalent in this area," the judge said.

From a Daily News article 07/11/2001
A TEENAGER who stomped on another person's head during an assault was sent to jail for 18 months, by a New Plymouth District Court judge yesterday. Hetariki Tehau Brightwell (19) had pleaded guilty to injuring Clyde William Espiner with intent to injure outside an Opunake cafe on August 30. Judge C. Thompson, who declined to suspend the sentence but did give him leave to apply for home detention, said the assault was "absolutely inexcusable thuggery". The assault followed an argument between Brightwell and the victim, he said. Brightwell, an apprentice engineer, punched the man, who ended up unconscious, a number of times and stomped and kicked him in the head while he was on the ground.

The judge said mitigating factors included Brightwell's "outstandingly good" academic and sporting record, his age and the fact he had no previous convictions. Lawyer John Munro said there was no denying the assault was a disgusting display of violence, but there was some element of provocation. His client, who had taken part in a restorative justice conference, and the victim knew each other and a few weeks before the victim had called him a "black bastard". Brightwell, whose co-offender in the assault had pleaded not guilty, was remorseful and had offered to pay a $80 a week for 10 weeks to Mr Espiner for any medical bills he might have, Mr Munro said.

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Corrections and Additional Information
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