Diplomats from Wellington's India High Commission have expressed their disgust over a racial attack on a Hastings family where a 71-year-old Indian pensioner had his teeth knocked from his mouth.
The man's family told Hawke's Bay Today the consulate had become involved after the racial violence, which left the pensioner fearing
another attack.
The consulate was talking to the family and were helping police.
Jason David Macklow, 21, was yesterday convicted for the attack, after he terrorised the man and his family in their Oliphant Rd home in May.
Macklow appeared in Hastings District Court yesterday and admitted punching the family patriarch, which opened up a cut under his eye, knocked his turban off and jolted his false teeth from his mouth.
Court records show the elderly man put his hands in a prayer position and begged Macklow not to beat him minutes before the assault, saying "please please, don't ... "
The May 8 attack began at 8.45pm, when a heavily intoxicated Macklow , directed racial slurs at the family property on Oliphant Rd, calling them "black c**ts", and "f**k off Indians".
After an initial confrontation, where he was asked to leave, he returned to the property with 10-15 other men. The group then attacked two vehicles parked in the driveway. They threw bottles, wooden stakes and bread crates at the house, vehicles and its occupants.
One resident, who fled towards the Campbell Street intersection, was followed by Macklow, who knocked him unconscious with a punch to the head. He continued to assault him while he was prone on the ground.
Police arrived to find him standing next to his victim, with his shirt in his hand, flailing his arms about and screaming.
He told police to "f**k off" before a number of constables restrained him.
In court yesterday he pleaded guilty to six charges, including riot, common assault, injuring with intent to injure, wilful damage, and resisting police.
Judge Phillip Cooper denied bail, citing the intensity of the attack, and the "racial overtones".
"I'm not prepared to grant bail," Judge Cooper said. "Prison seems inevitable."
The pensioner was still suffering sight problems as a result of the beating.
It's understood the India High Commission would be represented at Macklow's sentencing on August 5.
