'Culture' defence for slap to son

The father struck his son three times across the face with open palms. Photo / iStock

A tourist who slapped his teenage son around the face has been given a suspended sentence by a judge who accepted "cultural differences" were a factor.

Bruno Joel Cernobori, 60, of New Caledonia, appeared in Queenstown District Court yesterday charged with assaulting his 13-year-old son last Saturday.

Prosecuting Sergeant Ian Collin said Cernobori had parked in the town centre that day and had a heated argument with his son about a coat.

His son walked off, ignoring Cernobori's calls.

Cernobori caught up with him and struck him three times across the face with open palms, using both hands.

The boy sustained redden cheeks, slight bruising on one cheek, and a mark under his right eye, Sergeant Collin said.

Defence counsel Tim Cadogan said the "light slaps" were an acceptable way of disciplining a child in New Caledonia, and were legal in New Zealand "five or six years ago".

"It's a cultural misunderstanding on his part. There wasn't harm, wasn't great harm, to the victim," Mr Cadogan said.

He said the argument began because the family were about to go skiing and the boy would not wear a coat.

Judge Callaghan said: "I'm minded not to impose a penalty more than a conviction in this case.

"It is accepted that a cultural difference is really what brings him before the court, more than anything else."

Cernobori, who is due to leave New Zealand today, was ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within three months.