A man who ran over and killed a 72-year-old man as he fled a beating from the Mongrel Mob has been sentenced to 12 months' home detention for dangerous driving.



Setephano Munokoa, 23, of Otara, was today sentenced to electronic bail for one charge of dangerous driving causing death. He is also suspended from driving for a year.



His actions in killing Sione Lauano, 72, on June 4, 2011, were one of those "rare cases" which involved self-defence, the High Court in Auckland heard today.



Munokoa was part of South Auckland street gang HFK, which stands for Who F...... Cares?



Partying with four gang member friends, Munokoa - the sober driver - took them to buy cannabis from a dealer they knew.



The dealer was not at his Vine St, Mangere, home, but a Mongrel Mob party was in full swing.



Munokoa's friend got into an argument with one of the Mob and a fight ensued. Munokoa was assaulted and his friend took a bolt cutter to hit Mob member Henry Lauano.



But Lauano snatched it and smashed the car windscreen as Munokoa tried to drive off with two friends.



Munokoa crashed twice as he tried turning the car out of the driveway, and hit Lauano's father, Sione, who had tried to break up the fight.



The three men got out of the car and ran off, leaving the car engine running. The car rolled forward on top of Sione Lauano, crushing his chest. He died in Middlemore Hospital the next day.



Justice Andrews acknowledged Munokoa's remorse and that the death was unintentional.



"You saw yourself as having no option but to get away," Justice Andrews said.



"You were on a learner's licence, you were not an experienced driver. You were not driving to scare off Sione, you were trying to escape. That meant you had to turn the car around in a confined space.



"You didn't turn the car off, you ran away. I accept you were really concerned for your safety."



The incident was over in a few seconds.



Munokoa, a paranoid schizophrenic, had not been diagnosed with the mental health condition at the time. He was later found to have problems with alcohol and marijuana as well.



The victim impact statements from Henry Lauano and his sister were "very mature" and forgiving, asking for the court to show mercy on Munokoa, who has a young daughter.



"Henry said he became very angry and extremely emotional," Justice Andrews said.



"He said his father would have wanted the matter to be dealt with properly."



A prison sentence of between 18 months and three years was considered following submissions from Crown prosecutor Nick Williams and defence lawyer Shane Tait.



An independent psychiatric report found Munokoa at risk of reoffending, taking into account previous convictions including violence against a female and breach of bail - some for which he did jail time for.



Munokoa was expelled from school at age 12 and never returned. He lives with his grandparents and is on the sickness benefit.



He was considered at low risk of reoffending in the same way.



Justice Andrews said Munokoa would benefit from medical treatment and counselling with family support at home.



"You've shown significant improvement in a supportive environment; home detention would assist your rehabilitation and getting back into the community."



Munokoa was ordered to take part in an anti-violence programme as well as alcohol and drug assessments.