Soldier allegedly bashed guard

A soldier is at the centre of an inquiry into a security guard being bashed at a North Canterbury pub.

Private Thomas Morrison, based at Burnham Military Camp, is alleged to have assaulted a 45-year-old security guard with two of his friends at the Kaikanui Tavern, in Kaiapoi on July 20.

Senior Sergeant Vaughn Lapslie confirmed police were called to reports of an assault at the tavern after three patrons were asked to leave.

‘‘As the patrons were leaving there was a fight of some sort, a security person was assaulted and sent to hospital,’’ he said.

He was discharged the following day.

Lapslie said the patrons had left by the time police arrived, but ‘‘presented themselves’’ the following day. Police took statements but no charges had been laid.

The Press contacted Morrison via Facebook, but he accepted the message request blocked the reporter.

A New Zealand Defence Force spokesman said they had been made aware of an incident, but it was currently a matter for police.

Kaikanui Tavern owner Julian Eagle said the patrons were asked to leave because they were ‘‘getting a bit lippy’’.

Two of the men had left the pub when one of them, understood to be Morrison, allegedly assaulted the security guard. Eagle said a person went to help the security guard, but was overpowered by the two other and then patrons.

‘‘What happened at the door wasn’t actually a fight, it was a very small incident where one guy wanted to be the big guy,’’ Eagle said.

‘‘The fact the security guard did get injured was totally down to one guy and a very bad life decision he made on his way out the door. He could’ve walked home and everyone would’ve been fine.’’

Eagle said he had been running a ‘‘really clean ship’’ in the last four years.

‘‘We’ve had no problems, the police are on our side, everyone is very happy with us. Everything is going great.

‘‘This has nothing to do with the pub, it’s one young, cocky, guy was annoying someone so he was asked to leave.’’

The pub was shut down in 2014 after a litany of licence breaches and the Waimakariri District Licensing Committee’s lack of confidence in the-then licensee Matthew Brownlee’s ability to improve his operation.

The Brownlees no longer have any part in the running of the tavern.