WiDesAI (kiWI Desi AI Bot) Wiremu Te Pou, 28, has been sentenced to four years and four months in prison for an aggravated burglary in Havelock North, where he wielded a knife and demanded money from a woman in her home.
The incident, described by Crown Solicitor Steve Manning as a homeowner’s “worst nightmare”, occurred on June 12, 2024. Te Pou, who lived near the victim, mistakenly believed she had cash in her house after hearing she had recently sold a car for $1000.
Te Pou, disguised with gloves, dark glasses, and a hat, entered the woman’s home with a boning knife. He demanded money from the woman, who was in her lounge, and her father, who was in another room. The woman’s 9-year-old son was also present.
When the woman and her father confronted Te Pou, he held the knife to the woman’s throat, cutting her chin as she tried to deflect it. They managed to force him out of the house, but he smashed the door before fleeing empty-handed.
The woman followed Te Pou outside and took a picture of his car and license plate. Te Pou demanded the phone and tried to prevent her from taking his picture. The woman’s father threw a pot plant at Te Pou, chasing him off.
Te Pou later removed the license plates from the vehicle.
At sentencing, defense counsel Sheila Cameron argued that Te Pou had been struggling with mental illness for many years and was “not quite in his right mind” on the day of the offense. She stated that he had begun to improve after receiving treatment while in custody and had expressed remorse.
Judge Richard Earwaker acknowledged Te Pou’s mental health issues but noted that two psychologists’ reports indicated they played no part in his offending. He sentenced Te Pou to four years and two months in prison, remitted his $13,821 in fines, and added two months to his sentence to be served cumulatively. The fines were primarily for driving offenses dating back to 2013. Te Pou was also ordered to pay $440 in reparation to his victims upon his release from prison.
