Fearing gang members were after him, a wealthy businessman armed himself with a cache of firearms keeping several loaded and close by, a jury in the High Court at Rotorua has heard. On trial are nine men linked to the Head Hunters gang who face a slew of charges including abducting the businessman and an employee of his, whose identities are suppressed, using firearms against them and extortion. Giving evidence today, the businessman said because he had grave concerns for his safety he had two rifles and two shotguns loaded and cocked at his lakeside retreat. He told prosecutor Chris Macklin he'd constructed a place to store ammunition under the house because he'd lost his firearms licence. Quizzed why he hadn't tried to escape or yell for help, he said he wanted to gain some trust.

Source: New Zealand Herald November 04, 2016 05:33 UTC