Intersection assault was 'self defence'

An intersection punch up has earned one man a supervision and community work.

Rewi James Peke, 24, was working the night shift at Affco on February 13 with the victim's girlfriend, police prosecutor Sergeant Stephen Butler said in the Whanganui District Court on Tuesday.

Peke's colleague had a conversation with the victim's girlfriend as they were leaving work. The victim was waiting in the car park to pick her up.

When the victim drove away, Peke's colleague ran up to him and asked for him to chase after their car.

They followed the car, and upon reaching an intersection, Peke got out of the car, went to the driver's side of the other car, reached in and punched the male victim a number of times to the head, smashing the windscreen in the process.

When spoken to by police, "the defendant stated he was sorry for smashing the windscreen and wanted to pay for the damage," Mr Butler said.

"He claimed self defence for the assault."

Peke pleaded guilty in court to assault and an unrelated charge of driving while suspended.

Judge Philip Crayton sentenced him to 120 hours of community work, nine months of supervision, and six months of disqualification from driving.

He also ordered Peke pay reparation of $300 for the windscreen.