Victim blindsided by bathroom attack

A man was knocked out in a pub toilet after being blindsided from a brutal blow delivered by a former schoolmate.

The facts before the New Plymouth District Court said Kyle Jay Kettle went to secondary school with the victim, who for a brief time, three years ago, had been in a relationship with the defendant’s exwife.

On June 5, both men were at the same function at the Waitara RSA on Queen St.

The victim went to the bathroom and, while he was urinating in one of the toilets, Kettle ‘‘forcefully’’ pushed open the door, walked up to the man and punched him in the head.

The blow was not seen by the victim, who was knocked out and fell to the floor.

After the assault, the victim was driven to Taranaki Base Hospital by his partner for a medical checkup, and was found to have suffered a fractured cheekbone and a black eye.

Kettle, who is 46, was arrested several weeks later, but he offered no explanation for his actions when spoken to by police, the summary of facts said.

At yesterday’s court appearance, Kettle pleaded guilty to a charge of injuring with intent to injure with reckless disregard, which carries a maximum penalty of five years’ jail.

Following the guilty plea, defence lawyer Samantha Hunt asked for a referral to be made to restorative justice.

Judge Tony Greig told Kettle he needed to ‘‘do everything to start putting it right’’ as the penalty starting point for the assault would be prison.

‘‘It’s what the victim wants,’’ the judge said of jail time.

The judge told Kettle if there was no opportunity to meet at a restorative justice meeting, he would need to ‘‘get creative’’ and find other ways to make up for what happened.

Kettle will reappear in court for sentencing on December 6.