Stand-over tactics used on woman

A Waitara man who acted as a stand-over man for his brotherwas found guilty yesterday of assaulting a young woman and threatening to kill both her and her flatmates.

Brendon Ross Tamati, 43, sickness beneficiary, had denied he had touched his brother's former partner, Kylie Walden, 25, when he went to her home at 9.30am on November 27 to collect money on behalf of his brother.

He also denied threatening to put her in her grave and come back to kill her flatmates when Ms Walden said she was calling police after he punched and kicked her.

During a defended hearing yesterday, Ms Walden's recall of the events was to the most part backed by her flatmate, Cherene Ahu, 22.

Both women said they remained badly shaken by the events and were fearful of giving evidence in New Plymouth District Court in front of Tamati.

Judge Rob Murfitt permitted them to give their testimony from behind screens.

When Tamati took the stand in his own defence, police prosecutor, Sergeant Lewis Sutton accused him of being the "big debt collector" on the day and being "staunch".

"You were the muscle to collect the money," Mr Sutton said.

Tamati denied he was being staunch, saying he had gone to the house to collect money on behalf of his brother. He had his hands in his pockets while there and had tripped over a concrete fence, hurting his lower leg.

In his videoed police interview, Tamati had said he had walked into the house when he found no one there.

But yesterday, Tamati denied he had gone through the house, but had gone around the side of the house to find Ms Walden painting her toenails.

It was Ms Walden who had used the threatening language against him, Tamati said.

Mr Sutton said Tamati's actions were intimidating and his victim had frozen in fear because of the way he was acting.

"You went right up to her and made the demand for money," Mr Sutton said. "You grabbed her on her shoulder, knocked her over. That proves your point you were there for business."

Tamati continued to deny Mr Sutton's accusations.

"You weren't getting what you wanted and you lost it," Mr Sutton continued. Tamati had then driven down the beach to cool off because he knew he had stepped over the line and that "the police would be coming to see you", the prosecutor said.

Judge Murfitt ruled that Tamati was guilty of both charges.

He remanded him on bail and called for a reparation and pre-sentence report prior to sentencing on May 25.

- © Fairfax NZ News