Whakatāne, New Zealand – Aramu Rangi, 38, was sentenced in the Tauranga District Court to nine years in prison for a violent attack on Mongrel Mob member Mark Walker. The Crown alleged that Rangi attacked Walker at his home in Ruatoki, south of Whakatāne, seeking retribution for the Mob-related killing of Meihana Mason, with whom Rangi had a deep familial connection.
During the trial, a victim impact statement was read by Crown prosecutor Tobias Taane on behalf of Walker’s family, expressing the profound impact the attack had on them. Walker’s son recounted witnessing his father’s brutal assault, resulting in severe head injuries that left him permanently changed. Walker now lives with a metal plate in his skull, restricted to consuming soft foods and soups due to the extensive damage inflicted upon him.
The court heard how Rangi used a hammer to deliver life-threatening blows to Walker’s skull, leaving him for dead in a shed where the attack took place. Despite surviving the ordeal, Walker continues to suffer from debilitating seizures, severe headaches, and other lasting effects that have altered his ability to care for himself and his children.
Rangi claimed that the altercation was the result of an agreed-upon fight that escalated beyond control, leading to excessive force being used in self-defense. However, Judge Bill Lawson dismissed this defense, pointing to evidence presented during the trial that indicated Rangi’s premeditated motive for the attack.
Evidence revealed that Rangi retrieved a hammer from his car before returning to the shed where Walker was seated, launching a vicious assault that resulted in multiple blows to the back of Walker’s head. The judge emphasized the severity of the injuries sustained by Walker, highlighting the level of violence and anger displayed by Rangi during the attack.
Despite considerations for Rangi’s upbringing and family circumstances, the judge imposed a sentence of nine years’ imprisonment, citing the gravity of the offense and the need to uphold justice for the victim and his family. The case underscored the tragic consequences of escalating violence within gang-related conflicts, leaving a lasting impact on all those involved.