Guilty plea in Merivale assault

One of five men accused of being involved in an assault on Merivale security guard Lane Scullin has been sentenced to 100 hours community work.

Shem Williams pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful assembly when he appeared in Tauranga District Court yesterday.


Lance Scullin was found dead outside his Merivale home in Decembe
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Anthony Taikato, Mihaka Ratahi, Lance Perawiti and Zodiac Taikato also appeared in court for a sentence indication hearing on a charge of unlawful assembly.

Anthony Taikato is facing additional charges of assault with intent to injure and common assault - charges he is denying.

During his last appearance in January, Ratahi, 21, admitted assaulting Lance Scullin with a piece of wood in an attack the night before the security guard was found dead.

He pleaded guilty to one count of assault with a weapon but denied a charge of participating in an organised criminal group.

The group are accused of being involved in an assault on Lance and a second Merivale man outside Lance's Kesteven Avenue home about 10pm on November 31.

Lance, a father of five and Merivale Neighbourhood Support Group co-ordinator, was found dead at his Merivale home by neighbours about 10am on Sunday, December 1.

Police believe the assault and death are not directly linked.

The men have been remanded on bail until April 28.

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