Groomsman ends up in court after wedding venue fracas

Police were called when Dobson allegedly became enraged after being refused alcohol by the bartender. Photo / File

Anthony Charles Dobson was supposed to support his brother on his big day, but before the clock struck 10pm he was allegedly lunging at the barman with a broken wine glass.

Dobson, 35, was a groomsman for his brother's wedding at the upmarket Bridgewater Country Estate in Helensville, north of Auckland.

Part of a groomsman's duties are to support the groom, advise him and listen to any pre-wedding nervousness.

But police were called when Dobson allegedly became enraged after being refused alcohol by the bartender, who suspected he was drunk.

Constable Peter Collins was among the officers who arrived at the venue shortly after 9.30pm.

"A man attending a wedding allegedly lunged at a bartender with a broken wine glass after the bartender refused to serve him any more alcohol," Mr Collins said. "He is also alleged to have gone on to throw glasses at the bartender and threatened him."

Other guests tried to subdue him but when police arrived he was allegedly threatening and abusive towards them, too, Mr Collins said.

Dobson was charged with disorderly behaviour, threatening police and two counts of assault on the bartender.

He appeared in Waitakere District Court on Monday and was granted bail ahead of his next appearance on December 18.

A staff member at the estate, who did not want to be identified, said the bride and groom visited the venue the day after the incident to apologise for his behaviour.

While it disrupted the wedding for five or 10 minutes, they did not let it spoil their day.

The barman had acted entirely appropriately in declining the man alcohol, the staff member said.

The couple had since departed on their honeymoon.

According to its website, the Bridgewater Country Estate is nestled amongst 6ha of rolling lawns, shady mature trees, native bush and landscaped gardens with "beautiful lily ponds, hydrangea walkways, a boardwalk through native bush, a swimming pool and an astroturf tennis court".