
In retaliation for a police report, a gang member punched a man repeatedly in the head, brandished a knife and threatened to kill him.
Rhys Kenneth Ernest Hatfield was sentenced in the Nelson District Court on Tuesday on charges of assault with intent to injure, and threatening to kill.
The police summary of facts said Hatfield, a patched member of the Hell’s Angels motorcycle gang, lives in a caravan at the Maitai Valley Motor Camp.
At the time of the incident, his victim also lived there, in a separate lot. The two men were known to each other, but not associates, the summary said.
About 5.45pm on February 3, the victim was driving north on the Wakefield-Kohatu Highway when he was overtaken by a car. As it passed, the passengers made hand gestures and yelled obscenities at the victim.
The victim reported the incident to Nelson police.