Brothers released after pleading guilty to amended charges

Two brothers charged for their part in an attack on a Dutch tourist in Wanaka in January pleaded guilty to amended charges yesterday, ending their time in prison.

Daarian (18) and Jarred Wira (20) have been in custody since the January 9 incident.

They had pleaded not guilty to the aggravated robbery of Moreno Antonio de Meyere and were awaiting trial.

But in the Invercargill District Court yesterday, John Young for the Crown told Judge Michael Turner both brothers were prepared to plead guilty to a lesser charge of assault with intent to injure, and if that happened Judge Turner might consider sentencing them immediately.

Discussions with the brothers' counsels - Hugo Young for Jarred Wira and Sonia Vidal for Daarian Wira - had resulted in an agreement on the change of plea and immediate sentencing, provided it meant the brothers' time in prison ended.

Judge Turner said yesterday he was prepared to do that.

He said the victim wanted to buy cannabis and approached Daarian Wira, who agreed to sell him some. They went to Wira's house.

The drug deal did not happen, and outside the house Jarred Wira and two others hit, stomped on and kicked the victim.

Daarian Wira, who stayed inside the house but incited the others to carry out the assault, was correctly charged as a party to the assault, Judge Turner said.

''But for Daarian's behaviour the offence would not have occurred.''

He convicted Daarian Wira to eight months, two weeks' prison, a sentence which ended yesterday because of the time he had already spent on remand.

Jarred Wira was convicted to 12 months' jail, with the term to be discounted so he left prison yesterday.

On a charge of burglary dating back to 2010, Jarred Wira was convicted and discharged.

The two others involved in the assault have already been sentenced by the court.

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