A Tauranga man accused of twice punching Merivale father Lance Scullin in the head the night before he was found dead has had his charge withdrawn.
Anthony Jack Taikato, 32, of Parkvale, was set to defend the allegation at trial yesterday but the charge was dismissed last month after the Crown offered no evidence.
Mihaka Ratahi, 21, will be sentenced on July 14 after he earlier admitted he assaulted Mr Scullin with a piece of fence paling the night before he was found dead at his Kesteven Rd home on December 1, 2013.