Family man was not 'dogfather', jury told

The alleged "dogfather" of the Hamilton Mongrel Mob had moved away from the gang's dealings to become a family man, the High Court in Hamilton was told yesterday.

Counsel Roger Laybourn opened his defence for Sonny John Fatu by saying the Crown's allegations of drug dealing were "totally wrong".

Fatu, 43, together with Paul Mark Golding, 44, Priscilla Paretutaki Hayward-Howie, 42, Rocky James Manga, 30, Mose Douglas Iakopo, 28, and Michael Ormsby, 27, is charged with conspiracy to supply methamphetamine. The accused, with the exception of Golding, are also charged with conspiracy to sell cannabis. Ormsby faces a further charge of conspiracy to supply lysergide (LSD).

Mr Laybourn said claims Fatu was conspiring to supply methamphetamine focused largely on a car trip to Auckland by several accused in 2007.

It is alleged Fatu organised the trip to purchase $16,000 worth of the drug P from King Cobras gang member Golding.

The Crown has argued intercepted text messages and phone calls between the six accused and others featured coded messages which showed the gang were involved in drug dealing.

Jurors were told intercepted discussions between the accused to purchase "airfares" in Auckland represented plans to purchase P.

In reply, Mr Laybourn yesterday said discussions by Fatu and the accused to purchase "airfares", "bookings" and "flights" were simply part of a legitimate plan by Fatu to organise a family trip to Samoa.

The group's car was stopped by armed offenders squad members in Auckland but no methamphetamine was found.

A police search of Fatu's Hamilton home also found no methamphetamine or related paraphernalia.

Mr Laybourn said during the period of the police's covert drug investigation, Fatu had effectively moved away from his role as gang president.

Fatu had instead become a family man and had become focused on helping disadvantaged Polynesian youths.

Mr Laybourn said Fatu's move away from mob activities was triggered by the failing health of his partner, Priscilla Te Hei.

The pair had a child together and Fatu spent an increasing amount of time with Ms Te Hei during her illness.

Ms Te Hei died in September last year while Fatu was in custody awaiting trial.

Mr Laybourn disputed the Crown's claim that Fatu was the gang's "dogfather", saying intercepted communications revealed gang member Mark Griffiths was the mob's president.

Jurors also heard evidence from defence witnesses who bought purebred dogue de bordeaux (French mastiff) puppies from Fatu at $1500 each.

Mr Laybourn said dog breeding earned Fatu significant amounts of money and was more than sufficient to pay for overseas trips.

- © Fairfax NZ News