A man who admitted punching a 71-year-old woman during a protest against Posie Parker, has been discharged without conviction.
The protester, who was granted permanent name suppression, appeared at the Auckland District Court on Monday where his lawyer Emma Priest sought for him to be discharged without conviction.
The 21-year-old was charged after activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, also known as Posie Parker, was set to speak at Auckland’s Albert Park in March.
Judge Kevin Glubb said the offending was moderately serious given the attack to the head.
However he accepted the man was genuinely remorseful and acted in a way that was completely out of character.
On the balance, given his neurodiversity Judge Glubb accepted a conviction would be out of proportion to the gravity of the offending and discharged. Judge Glubb said that did not detract the impact the offending had on the victim.
“[Defendant] you must prove to the community and [the victim] you can be a good man moving forward and you will not get involved in protest action…make this the last time [you’re before the court],” Judge Glubb said.
The victim, who was left with concussion and bruising, told the court on Monday, she has suffered since that day in March last year and her “happy-go-lucky” nature has disappeared.
“Any loud noise causes me severe stress and uncharacteristic behaviours – anger and distress.
“I have lost the trust I had in New Zealand. I truly loved and believed in this country. I still think as a whole, New Zealand has the best people in the world. I’ve met and been supported by many of them,” she said.
The woman asked for the man to be named.
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And this judgment destroys any trust that the authorities had when it comes to the protection of ordinary citizens. This is just another slap in the face for the victim.
The man’s lawyer, Emma Priest, said this was a unique set of circumstances that would never be repeated by her client who has ADHD and autism and got caught up in the “frenzied Posie Parker protests”.
She said a conviction would be out of proportion to his offending and would result in difficulty in the young man gaining employment.
His ADHD and youth amplified his impulsivity that day. Priest said her client had taken responsibility, was truly remorseful and willing to engage in restorative justice – which was declined.
Since the offending, he has undertaken 180 hours of volunteer work at the Red Cross, completed the Man Alive programme and counselling sessions, Priest said.
The man also offered to pay $1000 in reparation.
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I know plenty of people with ADHD and autism, hell my whole family is autistic…but we don’t go around punching grannies in the face, and you may be sure if we did we wouldn’t use it as a crutch to escape justice.
That’s the problem here isn’t it? Whenever these types get into a spot of bother out come the excuses. Golriz Ghahraman did it, Kiri Allan did it, Todd Muller did it, and now this nasty oik has done it. It’s open season on grannies then, a little bit of ADHD and autism and you’re good to go.
Perhaps there is some merit in the Justice Minister looking into recall legislation so dud judges like this can be given other career opportunities instead of further victimising victims with their woke acceptance of pathetic excuses.
Cam Slater is a New Zealand-based blogger, best known for his role in Dirty Politics and publishing the Whale Oil Beef Hooked blog, which operated from 2005 until it closed in 2019. Cam blogs regularly on the BFD - where this article was sourced.
7 comments:
This outcome is disgusting/disgraceful ….
It is simply not safe to be an older woman.
I hope the cops appeal.
Yes, yes - the whole episode is a complete disgrace, and a blot on the reputation of the whole nation. No question.
BUT - I'll tell you what else gets me fuming.
The WOMAN to whom this assault happened was not only physically assaulted at Albert Park, she has been treated shamefully by her fellow-citizens ever since.
"Granny-bashing"! The victim's age and family circumstances have NOTHING to do with her appearance at the gathering, nor her having the misfortune to be in the way of the crazed assailant. Unbelievably disrespectful Cam and many others.
This result is truly disgusting. I would urge the police to appeal against it.
I must produce my offical diagnosis of ASD Level 1 (Aspergers) next time I run out of a supermarket with a trolley of groceries. I've sone some pretty weird things in my life due to being autistic, but haven't bashed any grannies
Correctly, Sean Plunkett also believes that the trans crowd, the media and the police should be held accountable.
The biased, one -sided media went right along with the demented trans crowd and the police, under the orders of a pathetic Coster, sat on their hands and did absolutely nothing.
The Police are there to protect all New Zealand, not some that Coster agrees with.
What a disgraceful man but will the woke Nats put pressure on him to resign? No way!
Instead, Mark Mitchell exchanges seasons greeting with this disgusting excuse for a commissioner.
A 21 year old man attacks a 71 year old women and gets away scot free. what a justice system that is.
With judges like that, I am surprised the 71 year old granny is not doing time for bruising the mans knuckles.
I am appalled and disgusted, firstly by the behaviour of the violent attacker and secondly by the verdict of the judge.
As others have stated.. It is not the country we knew and grew up in.
Those who have allowed this to happen should be totally ashamed.
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