Uninvited guest sparked violence
An uninvited guest at a birthday party started a fight which had to be broken up by a soaking with a hose.
Nelson man Dylan Gould pleaded guilty to charges of common assault and disorderly behaviour in the Nelson District Court on Monday.
In the early hours of September 23, Gould had been at a birthday party at a Nelson address. He had not been invited to the party but had turned up with an associate known to the residents.
About 2am, Gould was asked to leave after taking a beer without permission. He and his associate went outside, and threw stones at a window and taunted the people inside the property to come out and fight.
When the victim – who lives at the address – stepped outside, a beer bottle was thrown at his head but missed. Gould then attacked the victim and knocked him to the ground.
Gould punched the victim several times, while his associate aimed a kick at the victim.
Eventually, the victim’s partner got a hose and sprayed Gould and his associate with water. The two fled and were later apprehended by police.
The victim suffered bruising to his left eye in the assault.
When questioned by police, Gould said he could not remember what happened.
Defence lawyer Luke Acland said Gould was working fulltime and would be willing to make an emotional harm repayment. Acland said that while Gould had made overtures to apologise to the victim, he understood they were not likely to participate in restorative justice.
Judge Peter Butler sentenced Gould to 80 hours of community work and ordered him to make a $350 emotional harm repayment.