Rugby ref puncher ‘deeply regretful’

The man who knocked out a rugby referee after a club match has been commended for owning up, saying sorry and getting treatment for potential anger management issues.

But the punching of a referee needs to be treated extremely seriously to ensure people are left with no doubts as to how inappropriate it is, a judge says.

Pama Paisami, 28, was sentenced to three months’ community detention and 100 hours’ community work for assaulting Manawatu ref Paul Van Deventer.

The probation officer who wrote Paisami’s pre-sentence report recommended a fine, and defence lawyer Mark Alderdice submitted community work alone may be appropriate, but Judge Lance Rowe said some form of detention was required.

‘‘If someone is going to assault a ref or volunteer in these circumstances, they can expect that the court will start with a very high sentence,’’ the judge said.

‘‘Volunteer workers are the backbone of our communities, and see to it that our kids and our adults can play fairly against each other, compete, and become better people.’’

Paisami, also known as Tai Paisami, hit Van Deventer once in the face after a match between Feryberg Bs and Linton Army Bs at Linton Military Camp on July 9.

Paisami’s Freyberg team lost the game 28-23, after which Van Deventer waited to shake hands with each player.

Instead of a handshake, Paisami delivered a single punch, knocking Van Deventer out, breaking his nose and causing a cut requiring stitches.

Alderdice said Paisami had taken part in restorative justice, paid $600 to Van Deventer, and referred himself to Manline for anger management help.

He had no previous convictions, and the offending was well out of character for him.

‘‘It is an incident that is deeply regretted, and it’s not just words [from Paisami],’’ Alderdice said.

Being banned from rugby for life was a punishment in itself, he said.

In his victim impact statement, which the judge summarised, Van Deventer said he had to use up his sick leave - which he planned to use if his children got sick - and felt upset and in disbelief about what happened.

‘‘He worried about future games he would ref. He also talked about the way his family and his children became so upset about seeing him hurt in this way,’’ the judge said.

Paisami could have received a tougher sentence, but the judge noted he would likely lose his job if that happened - something which was not in the best interests of the community.

‘‘People need to understand that, ordinarily, this sort of conduct will result in home detention or imprisonment.

‘‘The positive things I have read about you tell me we are never going to see you again in court.’’

Van Deventer previously told the Manawatu Standard he was back on the field refereeing rugby.

‘‘There was slight trepidation, I guess. It will always be there in the back of my mind.’’