Ex-All Black named in assault case
A former All Black sentenced for punching a woman in the face can now be named as Zac Guildford.
The incident, described as savage and appalling, happened in 2019, in a car, when Guildford was extremely intoxicated.
‘‘The brutality and considerable force behind the blow is illustrated by the nature of the injuries caused to the victim,’’ Justice Paul Davison QC wrote in a decision released after an appeal in the High Court at Hamilton.
‘‘It was clearly serious offending, and the fact that it took place in the context of the appellant being severely intoxicated by alcohol is no excuse whatsoever.’’ Guildford fought for permanent name suppression at his January sentencing, at the Hamilton District Court, after previously pleading guilty to a charge of male assaults female. A request for permanent name suppression was denied by Judge Robert Spear at sentencing. However, Guildford’s lawyer immediately sought leave to appeal that decision.
Guildford also appealed the sentence of two years of intensive supervision, but Justice Davison said that was lenient given his offending.
The appeal was heard in the High Court at Hamilton in February, and Justice Davison released his decision late March – saying the public should know Guildford was behind the assault. However, Guildford’s name couldn’t be published until now, to allow time for him to appeal the decision if he desired.
Justice Davison said even if there was a lot of media publicity about the case, the inevitable embarrassment and sense of shame for Guildford ‘‘are no more than would be the usual consequences of publicity to other persons convicted of similar offending whose offending is reported in the media’’.
Nor could suppression continue based on ‘‘the mere possibility’’ of some illinformed or possibly harmful social media commentary. Now it has lapsed, more details of the case – described by the judge as ‘‘an appalling act’’ – can now be reported.
That includes that the assault occurred about 11.30pm on December 20, 2019, in the Napier suburb of Taradale while Guildford was extremely intoxicated.
The victim was sitting in the front passenger seat of a car, with Guildford in the rear, when, without warning, he punched her in the face. As the court heard, neither the victim nor the man could remember what spurred the assault, although it was apparently sparked by a remark about a family member.
The victim, who now lives overseas, was scheduled to fly out of the country the day after the incident, and had to do so with bruising over her face. She still has issues with breathing through her nose.
‘‘This was a savage blow delivered to an unsuspecting woman that caused significant injury,’’ Judge Spear said.
‘‘You could well have been charged with a more serious offence than this.’’
At Guildford’s sentencing on January 15, his lawyer Rob Quin sought a conviction and discharge and permanent name suppression. He said Guildford had achieved fame as a young man, and had found it difficult.
‘‘There have been troubles along the way,’’ Quin said.
His client was ‘‘extremely embarrassed’’ and regretted the punching incident. Quin said Guildford had been in discussions with a view to obtaining a contract to play rugby for a club in Western Australia, which could potentially lead to a place in the Western Force Super Rugby team. Any sentence more than a conviction and discharge would likely prevent that from happening.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Andrew Kennedy said the Western Australian club had not offered Guildford a playing contract.
He had not informed the club of his latest conviction, or the fact he was applying for name suppression.
‘‘Such facts should not be hidden from an employer, and they should be able to make an informed decision that Mr Guildford is a suitable person for that club.’’
After the appeal, Justice Davison agreed that any potential employers should know what Guildford was capable of doing when affected by alcohol.
‘‘The loss of employment opportunities cannot be an unexpected consequence of offending that involved drunken violence against a woman,’’ he wrote.
He also dismissed Guildford’s appeal against his sentence.
‘‘Having regard to the gravity of the offending, the sentence of two years’ intensive supervision was in my view lenient, and one which was primarily directed at the appellant’s rehabilitation rather than punishment,’’ he wrote.
‘‘The [sentencing] judge explained that it was intended as a ‘lifeline’ rather than a straitjacket.’’
Guildford is now back in his home province of Wairarapa, where he has found work as a mental health support worker.