A Kawerau builder who viciously attacked a policeman trying to calm him down in the drunken aftermath of a wedding has been jailed for seven years with a non-parole period of four years.
Aaron Wi, 34, shook his head in disbelief as he looked to a crowd of supporters in the public gallery of Tauranga District Court today.
Family members wept as he was led from the dock by prison officers.
"There needs to be very clear denunciation and deterrents for anybody minded to attack police officers doing their sworn duty," Judge Christopher Harding said.
The jail term was for wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
On a further charge of aggravated assault on a second constable, Wi was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment - to be served concurrently.
First found guilty in 2005, he appealed and was re-tried last year. A second jury also brought in guilty verdicts.
Crown prosecutor Rob Ronayne told the court today that Wi completely refused to accept any responsibility for what he had done.
Defence lawyer Richard Earwaker said his client continued to deny the offending and was not a violent man.
Originally the Crown alleged there had been "multiple attackers" on the police officers at Papamoa during the November 15 2003, incident.
But Judge Harding said other people had been tried and acquitted. Wi had to be sentenced on the basis of his trial.
He and his family were the only guests left at the venue after a wedding function and he was loud and extremely intoxicated.
When Wi saw two constables passing in a patrol car he yelled insults at them, taunting them to come up the hill to the restaurant and be "done over".
A group of people tried to prevent the first officer approaching but he got past them and was hit by Wi with a beer handle.
Grabbed by the constable and moved to the back of an alley, Wi then hit the policeman between six and 10 times, splitting his head open "virtually to the skull", the judge said.
The other officer arrived and endeavoured to pepper spray the attacker "but that didn't seem to slow you down", he told Wi. It took police reinforcements to overcome him.
The first constable had seven stitches to the head, two to a thumb, plus bruises, grazes and delayed concussion. He had long-term post-traumatic stress and was off work for a lengthy period, Judge Harding said.
His patrol partner suffered scratches to the face and a cut elbow. Having feared for the life of his colleague, he transferred from front-line duties.
Wi's probation report referred to his time in the army and previous difficulties with alcohol.
"Your references reflect a person who is well regarded at work and is concerned for and looks after his family," the judge told him.
"It is fair to suggest that this extremely serious incident was out of character."
However, the attack was unprovoked and on a policeman "just doing his job".
"There needs to be a very clear message given."
