Three men who carried out a violent robbery at a South Auckland superette in May have been jailed.
Daniel Seiuli and brothers Sam and Logo Teofilo stormed the Kingsford Superette in Mangere, armed with a machete and crowbar. Another teenager who also took part was dealt with in the youth court.
Today the trio - aged 17, 21 and 18 - were sentenced for the aggravated robbery.
Judge Moala noted their early guilty pleas, but said the violence used in the crime was very serious.
"It could have ended up so horribly wrong," Judge Moala said.
"Your use of weapons, the number of you, four of you going into that store and scaring the complainant and committing acts of violence against him."
Store worker Vikas Dubey received facial injuries and bruising during the attack. He wasn't in court today, but through a written victim impact statement said he still has dizzy spells.
While the three men have paid some reparations to show their remorse, Mr Dubey said it's not enough for the trauma he has suffered.
Seiuli's lawyer said the robbery was a "moment of madness", and the 17-year-old is petrified about going to prison.
His mother made an emotional plea to the judge, saying she was heartbroken when she heard what her son had done.
"He is a good boy," she said.
"They're not really bad kids, they [made] a big mistake."
"I'm asking you please to forgive my son and also the Teofilo brothers for what they did."
Logo Teofilo also expressed regret about his actions that day.
"He has said that this is the dumbest decision he has ever made in his life, and has now affected his chances of working," his lawyer Paul Pati told the court.
Logo and Sam Teofilo were sentenced to two years and nine months in prison, while Seiuli received two and a half years.
Newshub.
