Exercise yard assault results in extended jail time
THE offending was of a type that was taken very seriously. A strongly deterrent sentence was required, Judge Dominic Flatley said further jailing two prisoners who assaulted a coprisoner.
Ethan Hokai (23) and Kodie Reece Russell (22) were before the Dunedin District Court yesterday convicted of a joint charge of assault with intent to injure, a charge arising from their actions at the Otago Correctional Facility on April 18. Both had pleaded guilty. The police summary said Hokai and Russell were in an exercise yard with other prisoners, about 10.20am.
Hokai approached the victim and kicked him with his right leg.
Simultaneously, Russell punched the victim with his right fist, connecting with the victim’s head.
Hokai punched the victim multiple times to the head and body. While the victim tried to protect himself, Hokai kicked and kneed him.
Russell also punched the victim’s head and body multiple times, and kicked and kneed him.
When the victim lay on the ground to protect his head and body, Hokai and Russell both continued to kick and punch him.
They stopped only when a corrections officer arrived.
The assault was captured on CCTV.
The victim was left with a swollen lip, abrasions to his face and a loose tooth.
Both defendants were serving prisoners.
Judge Flatley said aggravating features included the attack being twoonone, involving attacks to the head, and the level of violence.
Hokai and Russell were each sentenced to 18 months’ jail, to be cumulative on the sentences they are serving.