A New Zealand-born gang member has been jailed in Australia after he was hired to extort $70,000 from a restaurant owner in Perth.
Wiremu Hepara Perry, 32, is a member of the Rebels gang and was hired by another man to recoup money from the owner of a Leederville suburban restaurant in 2013.
The West Australian newspaper reported that Perry harassed the victim on four separate occasions over three months, demanding he write a cheque to the man who hired him.
At sentencing in Perth this week the court heard that Perry threatened the victim's family and his businesses. He also slapped the victim.
"If you call the police you and your family will have problems," Perry threatened the victim.
District Court Judge Patrick O'Neal jailed Perry for three years and two months yesterday and described his offending as "calculated and persistent", the West Australian reported.
Perry was hired to extort the money due to his intimidating size and appearance, Judge O'Neil said.
"The threats were maintained and repeated for an extended period of time," he continued.
Defence lawyer Michael Tudori said Perry "has always maintained and believed" that the victim owed money to the man who hired him.
He said Perry, a father of two boys, was likely to be deported back to New Zealand when he was released from jail.
According to the West Australian, Perry's sentenced was backdated to January 2015. He will be eligible for parole in August.
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