Attacker of 70-year-old sentenced

A Hamilton man who punched a 70-year-old in the head more than 20 times has narrowly avoided being sent to prison.

Grant Brian Cox, 47, told a court he had been ‘‘taunted and teased’’ before attacking the man, whom he believed was trying to take his mother away from him.

But any issue of provocation was rejected by Judge Noel Cocurullo, who said the victim had only asked Cox what his problem was.

In October, the two men were sitting at opposite ends of the dining table when Cox started yelling about the 70-year-old’s relationship with his mother. He pushed the table towards the man, pinning him between it and a computer desk. While the man was trapped, Cox punched him in the head three times, but the man managed to free himself.

As the man was leaving the house, he tripped down some stairs and Cox, who was following him, jumped on him and punched him about 20 times, causing extensive bruising and abrasions to the man’s hands and face.

The victim was admitted to hospital and was found to have a fractured ankle and eye socket.

Judge Cocurullo said the repetitive and sustained nature of the attack was particularly aggravating and the only thing that had saved Cox from a jail term was the fact it was his first offence.

‘‘His first hit-out – to use the cricket vernacular – was a hell of a hit-out,’’ the judge said.

‘‘It staggers me you’d beat up an elderly man in this way.’’

Cox, who appeared in Hamilton District Court on a charge of assault with intent to injure, was sentenced to four months’ home detention and 140 hours’ community work.