Excessive consumption of alcohol was once again a common theme in the Queenstown District Court yesterday, with Judge Jan Walker, of the North Shore, dealing with offences ranging from drink-driving to assault with a crutch.
The level of intoxication was so great in one incident, the offenders had no recollection.
Pierre Francis McKay (25), diesel fitter, of Ireland, admitted assaulting Edward Stott using a crutch as a weapon, assaulting Elaine Sharp and being a male assaulting Caleigh Derpak on April 18, but said he could not recall assaulting either of the women.
Prosecuting Sergeant Amelia Steele said McKay was in Lomond Cres in Queenstown at 4am, on crutches because of a knee injury.
A taxi approached and McKay walked into the middle of the road.
The taxi driver tooted his horn at him, but he refused to move.
The victims, McKay's neighbours, got out of the taxi and began speaking to him, but he became aggressive and threatened to burn Mr Stott's house down.
The argument became violent.
McKay pushed Mr Stott in the chest, swung his crutch at him and hit him in the face.
The pair struggled and both fell to the ground.
One of the female victims went to help Mr Stott and McKay kicked out at her.
She had her hands up and the kick dislocated her index finger.
McKay rolled away and stood up before hitting the second woman in the head with his crutch, which left her with a scratch and bruising to her forehead.
Defence counsel Phena Byrne said the incident "clearly" involved excess alcohol, particularly on the part of her client.
While there was "animosity" at the time because of a noise complaint made against McKay, "he acknowledges his behaviour was inappropriate".
"He should simply have walked away, but his judgement being impaired by alcohol, he remained at the scene.
"He has simply no recollection of assaulting the females.
"He has accepted responsibility and he is deeply ashamed of himself, that his behaviour caused any injury to the ladies ... violence towards women is not something he condones in any shape or form.
"It's left him feeling sick as to the impact he had on those people.
"It's been a serious wake-up call in relation to his use of alcohol."
Judge Walker said it was "of concern" McKay could not recall assaulting the women.
"It may well be alcohol was the principal problem for you ... [but] I haven't heard any real evidence ... that if this was the problem you have addressed this in any meaningful way.
"I just see nothing at all to justify the behaviour you took."
McKay was fined $150, $130 court costs and ordered to pay emotional harm reparation of $400 to each of the victims.
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