Apology to assaulted officer
15month sentence for violent incidents, one at court
A MOSGIEL man who attacked a police officer seven months ago stood next to him in the dock again yesterday and apologised.
Christopher Simon Mackechnie (24) had kicked the senior constable in the groin two or three times on that occasion but there was no repeat of the violent tussle at the Dunedin District Court yesterday.
‘‘I’d just like to apologise,’’ the defendant said.
‘‘I’m happy he’s standing beside me.’’
Judge John Macdonald said there was ‘‘a certain irony’’ in the pair’s unlikely reunion.
Mackechnie was initially behind bars for barging his way into a Mosgiel house on March 24 and attacking a man who had sent him threatening text messages.
On April 6, the defendant applied for bail.
After being turned down by the judge, Mackechnie gestured and called out to his partner in the public gallery.
‘‘Corrections staff told him to refrain from doing this and the defendant reacted by putting the hood of his top on his head and using offensive language directed at the staff members,’’ a police summary said.
They tried to escort Mackechnie back to the cells and when he did not comply, he was restrained and forced to the floor.
The police custody officer tried to apply handcuffs ‘‘but the defendant threw his body around violently preventing him from doing so’’.
While the struggle continued, the defendant lashed out at the senior constable’s crotch.
Mackechnie was hauled to his feet and was being marched downstairs towards the court cells when he ‘‘lurched forwards’’.
That caused the female Corrections officer in front of him to fall down the stairs, hitting her head on the concrete floor.
She was taken to hospital with a head wound and also required five stitches to her knee.
The police officer sustained a small cut to his hand, the court heard.
Mackechnie later pleaded guilty to assault, assaulting police and injuring with intent to injure.
Defence counsel Richard Little said his client was remorseful and had written letters to both staff members injured by his actions.
Prosecutor Sergeant Chris George confirmed an informal restorativejustice session had taken place between Mackechnie and the senior constable, during which an apology was offered and accepted.
Judge Macdonald said the violence in the Mosgiel incident was more gratuitous than that which took place in the court.
Mackechnie found the 20yearold victim on a couch and punched him in the head repeatedly.
The victim suffered a broken nose, injured jaw and lacerations to his face, which had caused him ongoing problems, the judge said.
The defendant’s threepage list of convictions showed a propensity for violence, but he accepted rehabilitation prospects were good.
Mackechnie was jailed for 15 months but will be released shortly because of time served.