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Offender Databases Edward Karaitiana

Edward Francis Karaitiana

Alias

Ted, Teddy, Edward, Ed and/or Eddie

Offences

Multiple armed robberies and serious assaults in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and other centres
He was out on parole three months earlier from a 2 year 3 month term for another violent robbery attempt.
Also violent assaults on children

Victims

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Offender Affiliations

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Gang affiliations

none known

Age

Born 1963

Current Location

Prison

Parole/Release Dates

Sentenced to 8 years 3 months in July 2005
A non parole period of 5 years 3 months was set
Unsuccessfully appealed this sentence in June 2006

Background
Court of Appeal judgment here
From Christchurch Press story 05/07/2005
Recidivist pharmacy robber Edward Karaitiana faces preventive detention if he commits another robbery, a judge has warned. But Karaitiana will not have to worry about that for at least five years, the minimum he must serve of a 7 year 6 month sentence handed down by Christchurch District Court Judge Stephen Erber. Karaitiana, 41, admitted two counts of aggravated robbery, assault with intent to rob, male assaults female, drink-driving and disorderly behaviour. The judge said he would use a starting point of 10 years in the light of what were Karaitiana's fourth and fifth convictions for aggravated robbery, and a minimum term was both justified and necessary. "I'm warning you; if it happens again you are very likely to be sentenced to preventive detention."

Karaitiana and an associate dealt with separately decided to rob a Christchurch pharmacy. The court was told she drove him there and he went in disguised with a balaclava and hoodie. He terrorised staff, holding a large knife to the stomach of the pharmacist. Staff were ordered to the floor as he took controlled drugs and money with a combined worth of $1550. But a staff member had managed to escape and after noticing this, the associate left, leaving Karaitiana stranded. He hijacked a car, but was unable to start it, so took another, telling a passenger to get out before he drove to Linwood. Soon captured, he was frank with police. "It's enough to say the people in the pharmacy have suffered considerably from this attack," the judge said. Effects on the victims included chronic anxiety -- one had a nervous breakdown -- and another decided to get out of the pharmacy business.

"The effects on these people have been very considerable and you are wholly responsible for it," the judge said. A probation report said Karaitiana had a violent, anti-social personality, and he showed little remorse or compassion for the lives he disrupted. "The impact on the victims has been grave and is ongoing," Judge Erber said. Karaitiana's previous list was "very bad" and showed he was prone to serious violence, the judge said. Defence counsel James Rapley said the spate of offending was triggered by stress from a family illness, and Karaitiana's need for drugs. Prosecutor Rosemary Roberts said Karaitiana was an incorrigible, violent offender. He was already a borderline case for preventive detention, but the Crown would apply for a minimum jail term at this stage, she said

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Corrections and Additional Information
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