Westside star fined for kick to head
A rising Kiwi actor has been convicted of assault and fined $2000 for kicking someone in the head outside his mother’s Auckland home.
Pana Lawrence Hema-Taylor, 26, starred in Boy, played dodgy mechanic Bert Thompson in TV3’s Westside and also appeared in TVNZ drama Dirty Laundry.
He appeared in Auckland District Court yesterday for sentencing after being charged with assault last year.
Judge Russell Collins told the court the incident occurred when Hema-Taylor was called on to help when a fight which broke out outside his mother’s house, where his family had been drinking.
Hema-Taylor’s mother and sister were involved causing him to come running.
‘‘You got called upon urgently to assist in a situation,’’ Judge Collins said .
‘‘You perceived there was a threat to family members. You reacted by taking the victim to the ground to de-escalate the threat. At that point you reacted in the heat of the moment and kicked him in the head.’’
Judge Collins told the court it was important Hema-Taylor wasn’t treated differently considering he was an actor, but said it was important to acknowledge how far the young man had come.
‘‘In a broad terms you come from a gang background in Wairoa ... I well understand the actual impact that has on day to day lives of people ...’’
Hema-Taylor’s lawyer Ron Mansfield said his client knew he used excessive force, and was remorseful for doing so.
‘‘He accepts the force he used was excessive. He did not have much of an opportunity to see what was going on but assumed the worst ... He certainly wasn’t out looking for trouble.’’
Judge Collins ordered Hema-Taylor pay $1500 reparation to the victim, and a $500 fine.
Hema-Taylor has a 6-year-old son with ex-partner, Wentworth star Danielle Cormack, and early last year he had a daughter with his girlfriend, Naomi Campbell.