Man who murdered dairy... - Financial Unions

The man who fatally stabbed dairy worker Janak Patel has been jailed for at least 15 years at the High Court in Auckland this morning.

Patel’s death sparked nationwide protests from dairy and small business employees, calling for better protections and harsher penalties for criminals.

Frederick Hobson murdered Janak Patel after robbing the Rose Cottage Superette in Auckland’s Sandringham in November 2022.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of murder and aggravated robbery and has been sentenced to life imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 15 years.

Mourners paying their respects at Rose Cottage Superette, where Janak Patel was fatally stabbed. (Source: 1News)

Patel was looking after the dairy for the owners who were overseas at the time of his killing.

He had recently moved to New Zealand from the UK to be with his wife and had plans to launch an importing and exporting business.

The court heard he was stabbed to death “for a few dollars” after chasing Hobson, who had stolen the cash register, down the street.

Patel confronted Hobson with a hockey stick before he was stabbed at least six times.

Hobson then fled, and Patel died a short time later.

Hobson’s accomplice, Shane Tane, who was a lookout on the day of the robbery and admitted a charge of aggravated robbery, was also sentenced to four and a half years.

Janak Patel (Source: 1News)

Proceedings against a third man, Henry Fred, who was allegedly the getaway driver, were “stayed” because of a terminal illness, meaning he won’t be tried.

Several victim impact statements were read out in court this morning, including one from Janak’s sister Nilam.

The statement was read on her behalf by Crown prosecutor Alysha McClintock.

“One of my greatest supports is now missing from my life,” the statement read. “I must continue to confront my fear every day.”