Share this @internewscast.com

There were double takes from passing drivers as Lenard Phillips’ 15-tonne armoured personnel carrier was delivered to his door in suburban Auckland.

The 68-year-old has been waiting three years to get it back since police officers came to the Ōrākei pensioner’s state house and took the FV432 as part of an asset seizure under the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery) Act, after the previous owner got into trouble with the law.

“It’s good to see her back home,” he said as the vehicle was rolled on to his front yard on Wednesday afternoon.

Lenard Phillips, an ex-soldier living in Orakei, received an armoured vehicle that was mistakenly confiscated by the government under the proceeds of crime act.
Lenard Phillips, an ex-soldier living in Orakei, received an armoured vehicle that was mistakenly confiscated by the government under the proceeds of crime act. (Chris McKeen/Stuff)

It has been an uphill battle for the former military man to get the vehicle back, and after all the ups and downs, he said he found himself less excited than he thought he would have been.

He and his lawyer Dr Richard Keam have been jumping through hoops for the last three years in order to get the vehicle back and, in early August, Phillips finally got the news from his lawyer he’d been waiting to hear.

Countries with the highest military expenditure in the world

Keam told him the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) – which was storing the vehicle as the official assignee – would be handing the tank back after they reached an agreement in the courts.

But MBIE have more than once pushed the delivery date back during the last six weeks, citing a number of excuses, Keam said – including last Saturday when, only after the delivery time passed, was Phillips told those tasked with driving it were having trouble keeping it running.

“They said they would crane it in,” Phillips said. “But I told them it was running when they took it, so I want it back in the same condition.”

Then on Wednesday afternoon – only hours after Stuff enquired about the delays – the pensioner got a call telling him the tank would be on his front lawn within the hour.

The armoured vehicle has pride of place on the front yard.
The armoured vehicle has pride of place on the front yard. (Chris McKeen/Stuff)

It was a reasonably secretive affair – as much as an armoured vehicle rolling down a street can be – with the driver of the tank and the MBIE staff asking not to be filmed as they are involved with repossessing items from criminals.

But Phillips was just happy to see it back on his lawn and running, and soon enough had two of his mokopuna looking on in awe.

“One wasn’t even born and this other one was just in a pram when they came and took it away, so it’s good they can see it now,” he said.

Phillips told Stuff previously that he was sick of waiting for the APC’s return, and that it shouldn’t have been taken in the first place.

“It should have been back long ago,” he said.

“They were quick to come and take it… and now it’s been passed through a court of law that it does belong to me, so why don’t they bring it back as quick as they took it.”

Inside the armoured vehicle.
Inside the armoured vehicle. (Chris McKeen/Stuff)

The FV432 was gifted to him in lieu of payment for catering a wedding of more than 1000 people with a hāngī.

The previous owner had bought the vehicle from a closing paintball facility as part of a combo with a Hummer. For a time, it was stored at Phillips’ house and after an abandoned attempt to raffle it off, the APC was eventually given to the pensioner, who had no objections.

He had begun to lose hope he’d ever see it again, but now that it’s back he plans to bring it back to working condition.

It doesn’t have a warrant of fitness, nor is it registered to drive on the road, but Phillips has already enquired about getting it roadworthy.

“It means a lot to me, you know,” he said.

This article originally appeared on Stuff and is republished here with permission.

Share this @internewscast.com
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like
Kyah Simon, who missed the cut for the squad to play Canada, accepted the award on behalf of the Matildas

Matildas FIFA World Cup stars receive MASSIVE accolade that has been reserved for the likes of Don Bradman, Ash Barty, Cathy Freeman and the Socceroos

Beat the Australian men’s cricket team to the award  Beome just the…

Bondi lifeguards plead for return of stolen beach buggy

Lifeguards on Bondi Beach have pleaded for the return of a beach…

Combat in Gaza Strip back underway as temporary truce expires

Israel’s military says it has resumed combat operations in the Gaza Strip…

Beloved family of three killed in horror Daylesford crash farewelled

Family and friends packed into Springvale Botanical Cemetery’s chapel today to say…

Former SA premier admits to being paid as director while in office

Former South Australian premier Steven Marshall has admitted to being paid as…

P-plater learns fate for killing five teens in Buxton crash

A probationary driver who killed five teenage school friends when he crashed…

The map that spells danger for millions

Millions of Australians face the return of devastating bushfires this summer, including…

Investigations continue into 'confronting' mass whale stranding in Tasmania

Investigations are continuing after 34 pilot whales were found dead on a…

Calls for US forces to suspend Osprey flights after another fatal crash

Tokyo said it also asked the US military to ground all Ospreys…

This is already the hottest year ever, UN weather agency says

The United Nations weather agency says 2023 is all but certain to…

Higgins tried to 'reclaim' dress at Liberals birthday party

Brittany Higgins has told court she wore the same dress from the…

Legal action launched against waste facility creating noxious fumes

The Queensland government has launched legal action to stop a waste facility…