Auckland resident Frederick Gilbert Hobson, 35, has admitted to murdering Kiwi-Indian dairy worker Janak Patel during a robbery in November 2022.
The killing at Rose Cottage Superette in Sandringham, a family-run establishment where Patel had recently relocated, had sparked nationwide outrage.
Hobson, one of them men charged in the murder, appeared at the High Court at Auckland on March 13, 2024, and pleaded guilty to a charge of murder and aggravated robbery with a knife.
Justice Mathew Downs remanded him in custody to appear for sentencing on June 26.
Patel was attacked in the street near the Rose Cottage Superette on November 23, 2022 and later died. He was an employee of the store who was minding the shop while the owners were on holiday in India.
Two others accused in the case are set to go to trial in May in relation to Patel’s death. The incident prompted a surge in calls from small business owners and employees for the government to intensify efforts in combating crime.
The impact of Patel's death resonated deeply, compelling top politicians, including then-Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Police Minister Mark Mitchell, to attend Patel's funeral. In the High Court at Auckland, Hobson entered guilty pleas to charges of murder and aggravated robbery, with sentencing scheduled for June instead of the initially planned trial in May.
The grief and anger expressed by the community sent a clear message to policymakers. Hundreds gathered outside the dairy for vigils and protests, emphasizing the need for increased safety measures. Dairy and Business Association chairperson Sunny Kaushal criticised the perceived lenient approach to crime, attributing the tragedy to a lack of fear among criminals towards authorities.
Dairy workers across the country stood in solidarity, holding protests and temporarily closing their businesses to raise awareness of the dangers they faced. Ardern acknowledged the urgency to implement retail safety measures, such as fog cannons, and vowed to discuss further actions in Cabinet.
Janak Patel, an immigrant from Gujarat, India, had recently fulfilled his dream of running a business in New Zealand with his wife, Vijeta. Mourners at his funeral remembered him as a true family man, grounded in religion, and deeply caring for those around him. The devastating loss struck a chord with many, highlighting the hardships faced by immigrant families.
In the aftermath of Patel's killing, his sister passionately called for justice, urging the New Zealand Government to swiftly apprehend the criminal responsible and ensure the murderer faced the harshest punishment.
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