Bowls champ accused of assaulting taxi driver

Two-time world bowls champion Gary Lawson is facing assault and intentional damage charges after a Wellington taxi ride allegedly led to an assault on the driver.

Gary Raymond Lawson, 45, listed as a farmer from Northcote, Christchurch, is charged with intentional damage of a wing mirror and assaulting taxi driver Nashwan Gorges on November 6, The Press newspaper reported.

Lawson, who has not pleaded to the charges, was due to appear before the registrar in Wellington District Court yesterday but the case was remanded, without him having to appear, to Christchurch next month.

The paper reported that it understood Lawson allegedly kicked the taxi's wing mirror, damaging it, before allegedly assaulting the taxi driver after the driver took offence at something Lawson said.

Lawson would not comment on the charges.

- NZPA