Nichole  Nuku

Background

Background
From the Daily News January 2006
A SOLO mother and her teenage friend will not be sentenced until next year for a brutal assault in a New Plymouth carpark earlier this month. Nichole Mary Nuku (20) and Sheldon James Benge (19), admitted a charge of injuring with intent when they appeared in the New Plymouth District Court yesterday. Benge, a New Plymouth process worker, also admitted two charges of stealing petrol, worth $142, from service stations in the city. Nuku had been sitting in her car outside Burger King on November 9 when the 19-year-old assault victim bumped into her car. After abusing the victim, Nuku chased him across the carpark before he fell on to the footpath on Leach St. Nuku then started kicking and punching the teenager in the head and body before Benge arrived.

Instead of trying to defuse the situation, Benge also started to kick and punch the man, who was left lying on the ground with numerous cuts to his face and head, as well as injuries to his stomach and leg. Prosecuting Sergeant Craig Jones said Nuku showed no remorse for what she had done after being arrested, while Benge denied any involvement. Defence counsel for Nuku, Julian Hannam, said his client had no previous convictions and would like the opportunity to meet with the victim in a restorative justice hearing. Visiting Judge John Macdonald remanded the pair on bail for sentence on January 23.