Mongrel mobster who struggled to find a job because of his massive ‘Notorious’ face tattoo pleads guilty to brutally bashing his girlfriend
- Puk Kireka, 32, assaulted his girlfriend in Hastings, New Zealand in October
- Ex-gangster Kireka pleaded guilty to assault on Monday and was granted bail
- He made headlines earlier this year when he asked strangers to donate to him
- He shared a fundraising page to help pay for his university degree in fitness
Guilty: Puk Kireka, 32
A mobster with a garish face tattoo who asked strangers to help him get a job has admitted assaulting his girlfriend.
Puk Kireka, 32, assaulted his partner in Hastings, New Zealand in October.
She walked away from him after an argument and he hit her in the face, knocking her to the ground with a broken nose.
Kireka pleaded guilty to assault on Monday and was granted bail until sentencing in February.
The former gangster made headlines earlier this year when he asked strangers to donate to his education because he could not get a job.
He shared a fundraising page online explaining that he wanted to start a degree in sports science.
The recovering ice addict, who was in the Mongrel Mob bikie gang, was mocked by the rapper 50 Cent.
‘What the f*** is really going on man. I wonder why he can’t get a job,’ 50 Cent said in an Instagram post.
Others were more sympathetic including gym owner Robbie Gale who hired Kireka to work as a personal trainer while he studies at university.
Puk Kireka (pictured)) has a distinctive black and red face tattoo of the word ‘notorious’ on the lower of half of his face
He revealed that Kireka, from Hawkes Bay in New Zealand, had been helping him work out to get into better shape.
‘I’m running regularly for the first time in 12 years. It’s been such a great, humbling experience,’ Mr Gale told Stuff.
Mr Gale even agreed to pay for Mr Kireka’s tuition for his first year studying sport and exercise science at the Eastern Institute of Technology.
The gym owner said his generosity is an investment in Kireka, to teach him skills he’ll need.
‘When he’s talking about school it’s like talking to an excited 12-year-old kid,’ he said.
‘His teachers say he’s got to stop answering all the questions and give the other students a chance.’
Mr Gale was also assisting Mr Kireka with his business experience to help him start his own gym once he’s finished his course.
‘People like Puk don’t think they’re entitled to live a life like that. But once they get the understanding that it’s all possible, it’s all go,’ he said.
He said that everyone deserves a second chance and is happy that he could help Kireka with achieving his dream.
The fundraiser was created by Kireka’s partner on Give a Little to raise funds for him to become a fitness trainer
Business owner Robbie Gale hired Mr Kireka (pictured) to work as a personal trainer while he studied