Sensible Sentencing Reiterates Call to Abolish Gangs From Society

19 January 2016
Sensible Sentencing Trust’s Manawatu spokesperson Scott Guthrie is repeating his call to abolish gangs, gang regalia and anything associated with gangs from New Zealand.

In 1996 Taranaki Black Power member Brownie Mane and three other Black Power members were found guilty of the murder of Christopher Crean. Mane was released on parole in July 2015 after serving only 19 years in prison. His victim Christopher Crean lost his life and as a consequence his family are serving a life sentence. Mane’s other associates Symon George Manihera, Dennis Luke and Robert Shane Maru all remain behind bars; however they are due for parole hearings in the near future.

Scott suggests the Parole Board got it wrong when releasing Mane, based on the simple fact it was Mane that ordered the killing and yet he is the first to be released.

Fast forward 14 years to 2010 and another four Taranaki Black Power members murdered Peri Niwa after they incorrectly assumed Niwa to be a rival gang member. Matiu Pahu, Mahana Edmonds, Rangi Rick Brown and Adrian Tony Fenton were all involved in the violent stabbing of Niwa, but only 5 ½ years after the fact, both Brown and Fenton are becoming eligible for parole.

New Zealand has a huge gang problem which our politicians cannot deny. Our politicians need to start stepping up and telling the public exactly what it is they intend to do to eliminate these murdering clowns from society. Also when are they going to start demanding Judges pass sentences that reflect the abhorrence of these heinous crimes?

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