A rugby supporter took offence at another man's continued swearing during a Saturday morning club game and punched him on the jaw, the Dunedin District Court heard yesterday.
Robert Asola Taua (58), machine operator, said he knew what he did was wrong but he "got angry" when the other man kept swearing in front of his children.
Taua admitted a Crimes Act assault on Donald John McLean on July 31.
He was remanded, without conviction, for a restorative justice conference and for sentence on October 12.
Prosecutor Sergeant Paul Knox said Taua was with Dunedin Rugby Club supporters, children and parents on the west side of the Kettle Park ground about 10am.
The victim, Mr McLean (39), walked from where he had been standing with Zingari Richmond Club supporters, on the east side of the ground and stood behind the Dunedin supporters.
He began swearing at the referee, then walked out on the field, still yelling abuse.
The referee warned him and asked him to leave.
Mr McLean returned to the sideline but continued using obscene language.
When Taua approached him and asked him to stop swearing in front of his children.
Mr McLean replied with more offensive language.
The defendant then punched him once on the jaw without warning.
Mr McLean called him a coward and swore at him again, so Taua punched him a second time on the jaw before walking away.
The police were called and spoke to Taua, who admitted the facts and said he accepted what he did was wrong.
But he said he "got angry" when Mr McLean continued to swear in front of his children.
