Man beaten over ‘affair’ allegations

Haumu wrestled the victim to the ground and punched him in the head 10 times, three punches connecting with his jaw. Police summary of facts

A Temuka man was wearing nothing but a towel when he was beaten to the point he needed hospital treatment, the Timaru District Court has heard.

The victim required emergency surgery to treat a fractured jaw after the violent invasion of his Harris St home by Shayle Barry Tureremai Haumu, 18, and Jeremy Mark Best, 34, at about 8.20pm on June 19, 2019.

Haumu and Best pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to injure in an incident linked to allegations the victim was cheating on an associate with one of the women living with him at the address.

In a summary of facts, Crown prosecutor Anne-Marie McRae told Judge Joanna Maze yesterday that Haumu and Best forced their way into the house, pushing past other residents to find the victim in a bedroom – naked except for a towel around his waist.

Haumu wrestled the victim to the ground and punched him in the head 10 times, three punches connecting with his jaw.

‘‘In an attempt to avoid further assaults, the complainant escaped to the bathroom to uplift his property,’’ McRae said.

The pair followed. Haumu again hit the victim in the head and Best landed two punches on his shoulder.

The shower glass and towel rail broke in the attack.

‘‘The complainant ran away from the address while being chased by the defendants.’’

The victim’s injuries were treated at Christchurch Hospital.

McRae said when Haumu was first questioned by police, he denied the assault.

‘‘Haumu stated he was at the address to get evidence of the occupant having an affair and admitted to being inside the address.’’

Haumu pleaded guilty to further charges of driving in a dangerous manner, failing to stop when followed by red and blue flashing lights, and driving while his licence was suspended or revoked.

The defendant’s licence was suspended for three months on April 3, 2020, but just 27 days later he was spotted driving a black Subaru Legacy, about 12.30pm on Archibald St, Ashburton.

In a second summary of facts, police prosecutor Sergeant Ian Howard said Ashburton officers attempted to stop Haumu’s vehicle but the defendant hit the accelerator.

Police activated their siren and chased after him.

‘‘The defendant overtook a number of vehicles on the wrong side of the road,’’ Howard said.

‘‘He continued into a 100kmh speed zone, where he reached speeds in excess of 160kmh.’’

Police abandoned the pursuit on State Highway 1 because of Haumu’s manner of driving.

Haumu was spotted driving in Timaru a short time later.

‘‘He eventually parked down a driveway on Coonoor Rd, and was apprehended up the road trying to walk away.’’

When questioned by police, Haumu said he fled because he was driving his girlfriend’s new vehicle and knew it would get impounded if he as a suspended driver was caught driving.

‘‘He stated he was travelling at speeds of up to 180kmh.’’

Judge Maze remanded Haumu and Best on bail for sentencing on September 3, ordering a presentence report.