Man admits splitting cop’s nose with headbutt

A Taranaki man who entered a man’s home and violently assaulted him later headbutted an arresting police officer, a court was told.

The force of the headbutt split the skin on the officer’s nose, causing it to bleed and swell, a Crown summary of facts detailed.

Police had arrived at Kane John Smith’s home on February 1, as the 22 year-old had two active warrants for arrest.

Once handcuffed, Smith became agitated and aggressive, the summary stated, and while being escorted to a nearby patrol car he headbutted one officer in the face.

Smith was taken to the Stratford Police Station for processing.

While there, he became angry and damaged a wall in the charge room area by making a hole in it.

Smith’s arrest followed a violent incident on January 7 which saw him and his girlfriend enter a man’s Stratford home.

Smith approached the man and, without any provocation, punched him multiple times to the head, causing the victim to fall to the ground, the summary stated.

He continued the assault for around five minutes, telling the man to ‘‘leave the chick alone or this will happen again’’.

Smith then demanded the man hand over his cellphone and watch, before forcefully removing and leaving the address with the items. The victim received cuts and bruises to his face as well as significant swelling which temporarily distorted his face.

Smith, who was remanded into custody, appeared in New Plymouth District Court via audio visual link on Friday.

He pleaded guilty to charges of assault with intent to injure, theft and aggravated assault.

Judge Gregory Hikaka remanded Smith back into custody, referred the matter to restorative justice, and ordered a pre-sentence report which would consider electronic sentencing options. Smith will be sentenced on August 12.

He continued the assault for around five minutes, telling the man to ‘‘leave the chick alone or this will happen again’’.