After throwing punches at police officers and being pepper-sprayed, a Dunedin man explained his outburst by saying he was "old school''.
Paul David Shaw (45) appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday having admitted two counts of assaulting police and one of resisting.
Judge John Macdonald said among the defendant's seven-page list of convictions those sorts of charges were "nothing new''.
Police were called to Brimstone Nightclub at 2.25am on August 27 following reports of Shaw's aggressive behaviour.
"He was highly intoxicated and extremely confrontational towards other members of the public who were in the vicinity of the nightclub at the time,'' according to court documents.
Shaw allegedly attacked one woman and argued with another before officers arrived, the court heard.
After refusing to comply with directions, the defendant "took up a fighting stance'', with his fists clenched, in front of one constable.
When Shaw raised his hand, another officer grabbed him and a struggle ensued during which the man punched the second constable at least twice on the forearms.
He was pepper-sprayed but even that did not convince him to back down.
"He continued to struggle for some time until the effects of the spray took hold,'' a police summary said.
Later, he gave his reason for the violent skirmish.
"When spoken to, the defendant offered no explanation for his actions other than to say he was 'old school','' the summary said.
Counsel Meg Scally said since the incident her client had re-evaluated his attitudes to alcohol and been totally abstinent.
She also provided a letter to the court from his boss which portrayed him as a valued employee.
Judge Macdonald was heartened to see Shaw had sat down with one of the police officers involved and apologised as well as writing a letter to the other constable.
Staying off the alcohol "sounds like a very sensible approach to me'', the judge said.
Shaw was sentenced to 100 hours' community work and nine months' supervision.
