Netana Hirahiki Kohunui, 19, pleads guilty to assaulting elderly man in Helensvale home invasion

One of the intruders involved in a home invasion - in which an elderly man was attacked with the makeshift weapon he grabbed to defend himself - has learned his fate in court. FULL DETAILS

Police at the Helensvale home invasion crime scene in May. Picture: 9News

A young man remains behind bars after pleading guilty to his role in a terrifying Gold Coast home invasion that left an elderly man with serious injuries.

Netana Hirahiki Kohunui was armed with a knife when he and his alleged accomplice arrived at the Helensvale home in a stolen Mercedes at about 6.30am on May 14.

Southport Magistrates Court was told the pair entered and were soon disturbed by one of the home’s occupants – a 70-year-old woman, who quickly ran to get her husband.

The 74-year-old man grabbed a pipe to try to defend themselves but was disarmed and struck with the weapon by one of the intruders, falling to the ground and dislocating his shoulder.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Blair Casey said one of Kohunui or his co-accused then tried to punch the elderly woman before the pair fled with stolen items.

Detective and paramedics at the Helensvale crime scene in May. Picture: 9News

The court was told Kohunui and his alleged accomplice were undeterred by the violence of their first burglary, targeting another two Gold Coast homes that same morning.

Kohunui was arrested at the third property in Parkwood.

Defence lawyer Gabby King, of TWC Lawyers, said her client had no excuse for – and no memory of – his offending.

“He’d taken ample amounts of drugs, including Xanax, and he simply woke up in the watchhouse,” Ms King said.

“His time in custody as a young man has been a wake-up call for him.”

Ms King said the 95 days her client had already served behind bars should be taken to account and that he could be released on a probation order.

Police at the scene in Helensvale. Picture: 9News

The court was told the 19-year-old had no history of similar offending and still had strong family support.

Acting Magistrate Sarah Thompson said Kohunui’s letter to the court spoke of his remorse and insight, including that trying to numb his feelings with drugs and alcohol was not the way to deal with any underlying issues.

“Both (residents) were elderly and despite the fact I don’t have a victim impact statement, this offending no doubt has had a significant effect upon them,” Ms Thompson said.

“Your offending on that day is objectively serious (and) your offending is prevalent.

“The community are rightly outraged and scared by this type of offending, and every member of the community has the right to feel safe in their own homes.”

Kohunui pleaded guilty to several offences including enter dwelling and commit, serious assault of a person over 60 and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

He was sentenced to two-and-a-half years’ jail with parole release on November 12.

Originally published as Netana Hirahiki Kohunui, 19, pleads guilty to assaulting elderly man in Helensvale home invasion