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Offender Databases Moses Taua

Moses Taua

Alias

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Offences

Home invasion, aggravated robbery, kidnapping and indecent assault of an elderly war veteran in May 2006
Also has a lengthy list of previous convictions

Victims

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Offender Affiliations

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Gang affiliations

none known

Age

Born 1974

Current Location

Prison

Parole/Release Dates

Sentenced to ten years in September 2007
Eligible for parole November 2009

Background
Moses Taua punched the 86 year old pensioner many times as he became more and more frustrated between searches of the house. The intruder then made him undress, grabbed the victim's penis and, threatened to cut it off with a pair of scissors if he didn't say where the money was. The victim was shoved into a wardrobe, and waited several minutes before creeping out and establishing the intruder had left.

Hawkes Bay Today story 22 Sept, 2007
An intruder who threatened to cut off his victim's genitals with a pair of scissors if he was not given money was yesterday jailed in the High Court, Napier, for 10 years. The victim, an 86-year-old Hastings pensioner, was woken in his bed, punched, stripped naked, and then pushed into a wardrobe before the attacker fled with a kitchen kettle and wine bladder. The court heard that the victim had since lost his independence and was living in a rest home. His family described him as a "totally different man" since the home invasion as he was withdrawn and prone to anger. A jury found Moses Mohi Taua, 33, guilty on charges of aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, kidnapping and indecent assault.

On May 5 last year Taua entered the Tomoana Road house at 3am and stood over the man's bed punching him repeatedly. He made him undress and warned he would cut his genitals if he was not given any cash. When the elderly man insisted he had no money he was pushed into a wardrobe. He called police when his attacker had left and was taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital with a black eye, a cut below his left eye and a bruised elbow and back. Taua was identified by a council security guard, who spotted him fumbling with the kettle. Crown prosecutor Russell Collins said the attack was one of prolonged cruelty on a vulnerable victim. The sentence needed to reflect the serious and humiliating crime.

"The community really do have a strong legitimate interest in the protection of elderly people in there own homes," Mr Collins said. Defence counsel Roger Philip said the invasion was spontaneous and fuelled by alcohol. He said Taua was described by his sister as quiet and with a heart of gold. Justice Denis Clifford said Taua intimidated and terrified the elderly man in the humiliating attack. Taua had shown no remorse by continuing to deny the crime. The court heard Taua also had an extensive criminal history. The victim impact statements showed the life-changing effect of the home invasion, Mr Clifford said. A happy, independent elderly man living alone was now in 24-hour care.

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Corrections and Additional Information
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