A young patched member of the Nomads gang, Julian Robinson, has been sentenced to two years and four months in prison after a series of violent offences, including aggravated robbery, assault, firearms possession, and dangerous driving.
The 19-year-old was sentenced this week in the Wellington District Court, where Judge Tania Warburton highlighted his long history of exposure to drugs and violence.
Brutal Robbery After Night Out
In March last year, Robinson and an associate targeted a man who had won $900 at a Palmerston North bar. The victim, who had already been carrying $1000 in cash, reluctantly agreed to give the pair a ride home.
During the trip, they forced him to stop the car. Robinson’s associate took the keys from the ignition while the car rolled backward. Robinson then punched the victim up to 18 times while trying to steal his phone and wallet. The vehicle hit another car before stopping.
Robinson and his associate fled, but the victim chased after them. When he caught up, they knocked him to the ground and kicked him as he cowered. He suffered a broken tooth, a broken nose, and significant bruising, forcing him to take time off work.
Other Violent Incidents and Dangerous Driving
Earlier that same month, Robinson was involved in a bar fight where he and his group assaulted another man, kicking him in the head as he lay on the ground.
Later in September, he led police on a high-speed chase, reaching 150km/h in a 50km/h zone, driving erratically and running a red light. Due to the dangerous conditions, officers were forced to abandon the pursuit.
Robinson was also caught with a loaded sawn-off shotgun and ammunition in the boot of a car.
Judge Rejects Rehabilitation Request
In court, Robinson’s lawyer, Sean Clarke, argued that his client’s methamphetamine addiction played a major role in his offending and requested an adjournment to explore rehabilitation options. However, Crown prosecutor Luke Claasen opposed the request, saying there was no suitable place for Robinson to live if he was released.
Judge Warburton agreed, noting that Robinson had shown little remorse and had committed some of his offences while on bail.
“Your upbringing has led to your offending,” she said, referring to Robinson’s troubled past. Raised in a world of drugs and crime, he was given cannabis to sell at school at age 10, tried methamphetamine by 12, and was a fully patched Nomads member by 17.
She ordered that her sentencing notes and an alcohol and drug report be referred to the Parole Board.
Robinson is now set to serve his sentence behind bars, with no immediate path to rehabilitation.