Teen admits role in brutal bashing

Jacob Broderick

A Hastings teenager has finally taken responsibility for his part in a brutal attack on an electrician who had been enjoying a night out in Havelock North.

Jacob Patrick Broderick yesterday pleaded guilty to leaving the 32-year-old victim bloodied and unresponsive outside the clock tower public toilets on Te Aute Rd. The 18-year-old had previously intended to defend the charge of injuring with intent to injure.

His admission came months after his friend, Falcon Kaine Walsh, was jailed for his part in the bashing early on August 3 last year.

The victim was still overcoming his horrific injuries. He had ongoing issues including headaches, fatigue, balance and co-ordination issues, neck and upper-chest pain, his sister told Hawke's Bay Today.

"He is still only working part-time and has recurring problems with his health. His vision is still not great and means he cannot work like he used to," she said.

"While they (the assailants) can just serve their time, he has to deal with what they've done to him."

Her brother was unrecognisable following the attack. He spent five days in hospital and 24 hours in an induced coma.

The unprovoked assault came after the victim had been celebrating a birthday with two friends.

When the bars closed, the group made their way into the village streets, while Broderick and Walsh walked about the town trying to initiate a fight with others.

About 3.50am the two teens approached the electrician by the public toilets, trying to "antagonise and wind him up", while pestering him for a cigarette, before Broderick said: "I should just smack him over."

The man was attacked "without warning or provocation", the court heard. Walsh punched him in the head up to seven times, making his knuckles bleed.

Immediately after, Broderick and Walsh went to the Havelock North McDonald's where they bragged about the beating.

CCTV footage from a nearby liquor store showed the two teens running from public toilets just moments after the assault.

The teens, who studied at St John's College together, eventually came forward following the publication of the video footage.

Walsh pleaded guilty and was convicted of injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He is serving a two year and six months' prison term after being sentenced in October last year.

Broderick was remanded on bail by Judge Bridget Mackintosh until sentencing on March 4.

He also had his curfew adjusted by the judge to allow him to attend sports training in the evenings.

Broderick, who also attended Hastings Boys' High School, has been a Hawke's Bay junior cricket representative, while also playing club cricket for Cornwall Cricket Club in Hastings.

In 2007, the then 10-year-old made headlines when his father, Andrew Broderick, laid a complaint with police following a fight on a Hastings rugby field involving his son.

The pair claimed a woman stormed Elwood Park and threw a half-full baby's milk bottle at Broderick's head before punching him and unleashing a verbal barrage.

However, the incident appeared to have been sparked by a fight between Broderick and another player, following a controversial tackle and shoving exchange.

"I was walking back when he jabbed me four times," Broderick said at the time. "So I turned around and hit him once on the jaw with a right and he fell down."