A "cowardly" teenager who broke war veteran Eric Brady's jaw and held up a Queen's Service Medal holder at knifepoint in separate attacks was not put away for long enough, says one of his victims.
Maurangi Pere, 19, was jailed in Manukau District Court yesterday for eight years and 10 months for the brutal attack on 85-year-old Mr Brady and the knifepoint theft of a car from 68-year-old Limaono Kingi.
Crown prosecutor Kevin Glubb had asked for a jail term of 10 to 12 years for the attack on Mr Brady which he said had "all the hallmarks of a home invasion-type offence".
South Auckland health care worker Limaono Kingi, who was awarded a QSM for his work within the community, said Pere would offend again and should have been given the maximum sentence, The New Zealand Herald reported.
Mr Brady had his jaw was broken in at least two places when Pere dragged him from his car at the Papatoetoe RSA and attacked him in February.
Mr Brady had titanium plates inserted in his face which was left badly swollen and bruised.
When he attacked Mr Brady, Pere was on bail for the attack on Mr Kingi.
Mr Kingi was doing paperwork in his car when he was approached by Pere in Papatoetoe.
They chatted about the weather before Pere ordered him out of the car at knifepoint and drove off.
Pere admitted charges including causing grievous bodily harm and being armed with a knife.
Judge Charles Blackie said he would serve a minimum of four years for the cowardly attack Mr Brady who had risked his own life to protect him and the rest of the country in World War 2.
NZPA