An imprisoned senior Tongan Crips gang member has admitted stabbing infamous murderer and fellow inmate Graeme Burton more than 40 times.
Siuaki Lisiate appeared in the Auckland High Court on Thursday where he pleaded guilty to wounding with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
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Lisiate - who is already imprisoned for a 2009 murder - attacked double murderer Burton in the maximum-security Auckland Prison last year.
During the attack, Lisiate stabbed Burton, who was curled up on the ground, more than 40 times. He continued the attack despite prison guards arriving.
Burton was taken to Auckland Hospital in an initially life-threatening condition, with wounds all over his body, including on his head and face.
One large wound was to Burton's right eye, which resulted in a ruptured eye globe. He now has diminished vision in the eye.
Burton is a well-known name in New Zealand, committing his first murder in 1992. He was on parole in 2007 when he shot another man dead whilst on a drug-fuelled crime rampage.
A pre-sentence report has been ordered for Lisiate and a sentencing date put down for November 28.
In 2011, Lisiate was convicted for murder after putting a hit out on a rival gang member who was then brutally strangled by inmates in the Paremoremo prison.
The sentencing judge at the time, Justice Judith Potter, said the murder was "cold, calculated and callous".
Lisiate was sentenced to life in prison for that conviction, with a minimum non-parole period of 18 years.
Newshub.
