DJ convicted over pushing man from stage

A QUEENSTOWN DJ who pushed a man off a stage after he touched his musical equipment has been convicted of assault.

The victim was flown to Christchurch Hospital in a critical condition after his head struck a stone hearth at The World Bar on June 12.

Judge Tony Couch refused Stuart Edwin Raeburn’s application for continued name suppression when he appeared in the Queenstown District Court yesterday.

Raeburn (38) was convicted after admitting a charge of injuring by unlawful act in circumstances where, if the victim had died, he would be guilty of manslaughter.

It carries a maximum sentence of three years’ prison.

He will be sentenced on October 11.

A police summary of facts said Raeburn was performing at the Church St bar about 12.50am when the victim got on the stage and touched the equipment, turning off the music momentarily.

An annoyed Raeburn pushed him against a wall and told him he needed to get off the stage.

He then pushed the victim away from the DJ booth, causing him to fall backwards off the 33cmhigh stage and hit his head on the hearth.

The victim, who was still unconscious when police and paramedics arrived, suffered a fractured skull and brain bleeding.

He was flown to Christchurch Hospital in a critical condition, remaining there days.

Raeburn told police he pushed the victim because he was worried about his equipment getting damaged.

The victim was in his personal workspace, and he believed he was behaving unpredictably.

The defendant had cooperated with police and expressed remorse and concern for the victim, the summary said.

Raeburn, who has no previous convictions, is a British national who has lived in New Zealand since 2006.

He is wellknown in Queenstown by his stage name, DJ Stubacca, and has been a regular performer at The World Bar.

Judge Couch said a restorative justice meeting between Raeburn and his victim could occur before sentencing. for several