March 18, 2008

Man told to 'work shadow' bouncer he attacked

A 22-year-old man has agreed to spend several nights watching a bouncer go about his work, after admitting that he whacked one over the head with a bottle.

That was the outcome of a restorative justice conference and a sentencing session in the Christchurch District Court today.

Mitchell James Coll, who wants to become a registered architect and travel overseas, admitted the charge of assault with a weapon but was discharged without conviction by Judge Brian Callaghan.

However, he will have to pay $500 towards the cost of prosecution and $1000 to the security doorman as emotional harm reparations.

At the restorative justice meeting between attacker and victim, Coll agreed to do design work on business cards and letterheads for the doorman he struck.

?You fronted up to your responsibilities, and between the two of you, you came to a meeting of the minds. His suggestion was that you be with him one night a week for about five weeks to see how difficult the task of being a security doorman is,? said the judge.

He said Coll should liaise with the doorman to get these tasks done. ?It really is a matter of you honouring your word. I have confidence you will do that, given what is in the restorative justice report,? he said.

Coll was with a group of people drinking in the city when they got into an altercation outside a bar over a woman in the group either slipping or being pushed. While the doorman was grappling with one of the men, Coll picked up a bottle and hit him over the head.

The blow caused a superficial cut which did not need hospital treatment. Coll then dropped the bottle, which had not broken, and another doorman came to the aid of the victim.

Coll was a first offender. Judge Callaghan granted the discharge without conviction after deciding that the consequences of the conviction would outweigh the seriousness of the offence.

Paul Norcross appeared as defence counsel.