Face of the Day

Police tried to argue Syd Te Rata’s rugby league jersey was Mongrel Mob insignia, but when the case came to court there was no evidence provided to support that.

Five months after gang member Syd Te Rata got his Mongrel Mob patch back from police, he was captured on CCTV at a Wellington petrol station wearing a rugby league jersey.

The black, red and white rugby league jersey had the name “Lower North Bulldogs” on the front, with two small bulldog emblems on the front and back.

Police claimed the jersey breached the legislation that prohibits the display of gang patches and insignia in public places and charged him.

But, when the case was called in court last week no evidence was offered up to support that.

Now Te Rata’s lawyer has described the prosecution as “stupid”, “straight out bullying” and “oppressive conduct” by police.

RNZ