A man who became a gang member at the age of 12 has been jailed for shooting at police near Morrinsville.
In the High Court in Hamilton today, Morrinsville gunman Rollie Heke was sentenced to almost seven years jail. Photo: RNZ / Andrew McRae
The High Court in Hamilton heard that Rollie Heke, 36, had a turbulent upbringing and was exposed to violence at an early age.
After entering gang life when he was 12, Heke joined Black Power at the age of 16, before moving to another gang, the Nomads.
Heke was sentenced today to six years and 11 months in prison for shooting at police shortly after midnight on 13 August 2017, then going on the run for 12 days.
The prison term will be served on top of another five year jail sentence Heke had received for methamphetamine manufacture and supply.
After being stopped for speeding on 13 August 2017, Heke fired on three police officers using a military style rifle. He hit one police car.
The officers took cover and returned fire, but Heke slipped away.
He was eventually tracked down to a Kaiangaroa Forest town on 25 August and arrested by armed police
At the time of the shooting, he was on bail awaiting sentence on the drugs charges, but had cut off his electronic monitor.
Crown Prosecutor Ross Douch described Heke's actions as posing a serious risk to the community and police.
"It would be viewed by members of the public as outrageous that police officers going about a routine traffic stop find themselves under fire from a military-style weapon at close-range," Mr Douch said.
Heke's actions were unforgivable and required "the sternest denunciation and deterrents," he said.
Heke's lawyer Bill Lawson told the court it was easy to say Heke had a choice about leading a life of crime, but he had faced deprivation growing up.
Heke moved around many times as a child, was under the influence of his gang member father, and was brought up around drugs and alcohol, Mr Lawson said.
"Having seen what Mr Heke has seen and the male role model in his life continuing to follow those movements, it must have been incredibly difficult for him to form some stable connections," he said.
Justice Christian Whata queried why Heke had shown no remorse for his actions against the police.
"I am left with the impression that Mr Heke's focal point really is his whānau and his community and not the police and their families."
The court heard Heke had a period of stability after finding his Māori roots and had been involved in kapa haka for several years.
But a relationship breakdown put him back on a criminal path and he became involved in methamphetamine dealing.
Justice Whata said the case tested his capacity for mercy.
"We did have someone who did make a change already, but then reverted back," he said.
Heke had the capacity, when in the right environment, to be a productive member of society, Justice Whata said.
"I cannot ignore, however, your decisions to engage in very serious criminal activity, including methamphetamine dealing, absconding from electronic bail and shooting at police officers whose duty is to protect the public.
"(These decisions) were made as a mature adult who had already connected to Te Ao Māori," he said.
Heke faces a cumulative sentence of 12 years and four months in jail, with a minimum non-parole period of three years and five months.
