A man who was told his singlet and steel-capped boots were not appropriate attire for nightclubbing reacted by punching the doorman of a Hastings bar to the ground and stamping on his head - despite the intervention of friends.
In the Napier District Court yesterday, a remorseful and "appalled" AnthonyLee Tewhakaara, 25, was sentenced to 18 months in jail on a charge of injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Tewhakaara had admitted the October 7 assault, having claimed the offence occurred while he was under the influence of the drug P and that he had since set about making significant changes in his life.
Judge Tony Adeane declined defence counsel Richard Stone's bid for a sentence of home detention.
The incident happened as Tewhakaara approached the entrance of Billy's Bar.
When told he could not be admitted, he punched the doorman, hooked him again as the man lost his balance and fell to the ground, and then ignoring friends' attempts to restrain him, stamped on the victim's head.
The injuries were mainly abrasions and bruising, but the judge noted they could have been much more serious.
