Assault ’out of character’ defending dad’s ‘honour’

A Timaru man will pay $500 to the man he punched twice in the face to ‘‘defend his father’s honour’’.

Aidan Phillipson, 21, was fined $500 and ordered to pay $500 reparation when he appeared before Judge Ian Mill in the Timaru District Court, having pleaded guilty to common assault.

Phillipson retaliated to a man’s offensive comments about his father by punching his nose and mouth in Motueka about 1.45pm on July 14, 2019.

‘‘The complainant tried to flee but the defendant chased and grabbed onto him,’’ police prosecutor Sergeant Ian Howard said.

‘‘The defendant pulled him around while he was trying to break free and bending down, trying to cower away.’’

After Phillipson struck him again, the victim fled to a nearby petrol station.

‘‘The defendant waited down the road, hiding behind some bushes – and when the complainant approached, he chased him.’’

The victim managed to keep out of Phillipson’s grasp and phoned police, though the defendant was not arrested until August 9.

The victim suffered a concussion, broken nose, and seven chipped teeth.

Phillipson had been visiting his grandparents and sister at the time of the assault.

‘‘The complainant knew the defendant’s father and knew them from growing up.’’

Defence lawyer Codi Lilley said Phillipson’s actions were ‘‘out of character’’, this incident marking his first violent offence.

‘‘He felt he needed to defend his father’s honour but in hindsight, realises he went the wrong way about it.’’

Judge Mill said Phillipson’s family and friends described him as calm, polite, and considerate.

‘‘Your father reports you’re angered easily,’’ the judge said.

‘‘Given your nature and as a first offender, I agree the penalty would need to be at the lower end of the scale. Community work would put you among people who are not of a like mind.’’

Judge Mill said Phillipson needed to treat the reparation payment as a ‘‘priority’’ and pay it off at $50 a week. not