A Fijian national claimed to have asked his victim’s permission before punching them at least three times to the face in his Queenstown home last year.
Noa Duve, 27, of Jack’s Point, previously admitted to assault on a person in a family relationship and resisting police on November 15 last year, having earlier consumed about 10 alcoholic drinks.
Defence counsel Jono Ross told Judge Mark Williams in the Queenstown District Court on Monday Duve was a recent arrival to New Zealand, had "some difficulty adapting" and on that occasion, drank to excess.
"He behaved very poorly.
"Mayhem ensued."
Judge Williams said at about 2.30am Duve got into a verbal argument with the victim, then took off all his clothes and started "knocking on the front door".
The victim asked him to put his clothes back on — he refused and struck the victim more than three times with a closed fist to the face, resulting in a swollen lip, a sore jaw and bruising.
When police arrived, Duve was inside smashing various pieces of furniture, and refused to go outside, before he began throwing items of furniture towards the officers.
The officers had to use pepper spray before Duve was taken into custody.
When spoken to he said he had actually asked the victim’s permission before punching them.
Judge Williams said Duve’s behaviour on that night was inconsistent with glowing references handed to the court, indicating "alcohol took the better of you that night".
On both charges, he was sentenced to 40 hours’ community work and 12 months’ supervision.
Other conviction
• Mark Francis Simpson, 56, of Auckland, assault, December 19, Hawea, 12 months' supervision, with conditions.
