Dairy owners have expressed concern that the man accused of killing Janak Patel pleaded guilty today in the hope of mercy and a reduced sentence.
On March 13, 2024, Auckland resident Frederick Gilbert Hobson, 35, admitted to murdering the Kiwi-Indian dairy worker during a robbery in November 2022.
The Dairy and Business Owner’s Group, one of New Zealand’s biggest such collective, reacted to Hobson’s guilty plea saying “[it] will at least save Mr Patel’s family the trauma of a trial”.
“That said, a guilty plea is used by criminals to get a ‘discount’ on the sentence that will follow. This will be for murder and aggravated robbery,” said group’s Chair Sunny Kaushal.
“There is no ‘discount’ for the Patel family and the many friends of Janak Patel. For them, they face a whole life sentence for the hole that Janak’s murderer created in their hearts.
“We hope the judge, at sentencing, does put this murderer behind bars for the maximum amount that will no doubt be appealed.”
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.
Sunny Kaushal is pointing to continued violent attacks on retailers since the murder.
“For 2023, we have confirmation that violent acts against retailers increased 20 per cent in 2022 and are up 121 per cent since 2015. In 2023, almost seven retailers and retail workers a day were assaulted at work. This includes acts tantamount to attempted murder.”
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.
In the days after Patel’s murder, dairy workers across the country stood in solidarity, holding protests and temporarily closing their businesses to raise awareness of the dangers they faced. The then prime minister acknowledged the urgency to implement retail safety measures, such as fog cannons, and vowed to discuss further actions in Cabinet.
An immigrant from the western Indian state of Gujarat, Patel had fulfilled his dream of operating 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.
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