Man claims abuse directed at Indian family was ‘lighthearted’

A MAN who racially abused a family at a popular Dunedin landmark admitted the xenophobic comments but claimed they were “lighthearted”.

Dean Branden Rowe (25) appeared in the Dunedin District Court last week where he pleaded guilty to offensive behaviour.

Defence counsel Noel Rayner said his client disputed some of the specific allegations against him but admitted the charge because he wanted to get the matter out of the way and “move on”.

Rowe was at the Signal Hill lookout on December 28 when he approached an Indian family — an elderly male, two parents and their child.

First he offered to marry the woman so she could obtain New Zealand residency and then suggested the same to one of the men.

“The Indian family attempted to ignore the defendant but was soon involved in a heated argument,” a police summary said.

Rowe told the victims to “f... off back to their own country” and called them “black n ..... s”, the court heard.

The family left the area, worried they would be subject to a physical attack.

“Disgusted” members of the public witnessed what happened and reported the incident to police.

When police found Rowe shortly afterwards they questioned him about what he had said.

“He admitted to making racist comments but believed it was made in a lighthearted manner and he did not intend to upset anybody,” court documents said.

Mr Rayner told the court the incident began with a joke.

“He accepts at the very least it was in extremely bad taste,” he said.

Community magistrate Simon

Heale said the victims had not been identified and therefore no restorativejustice conference could take place.

“Your behaviour does you no credit,” he told Rowe.

The court heard the defendant would leave Dunedin later this month to work in the North Island.

Rowe was fined $700 and court costs $130.