16 Jan 2014

Second man jailed for tourist attack

1:52 pm on 16 January 2014

A Tauranga man has been sentenced to four years and nine months in prison for attacking and robbing two French tourists.

Two men, aged 21 at the time of the attack in 2012, were hitch-hiking from Mount Manuganui to Rotorua when they were picked up by Che Taraumate Bridger and his cousin Bo-Tamati Rawiri.

The cousins assaulted the tourists and took their money, luggage and passports.

Bridger, 25, was found guilty in December of aggravated robbery and was sentenced at Tauranga District Court on Wednesday.

Rawiri was sentenced last January and was given a reduced sentence of two years in prison after he gave evidence against Bridger.