Southland Sharks basketball player, Leon Henry, is thanking a New Plymouth District court judge for saving his career. Henry was to be sentenced today on two assault charges in relation to a brawl in the city on May 25.
He instigated a violent punch up with Crowded House bar staff,having downed 36 standard drinks after a game in New Plymouth.
Recognising Henry's career hinges on him taking up a contract with the Townsville Crocodiles this month, the judge decided to adjourn sentencing to give him time to pursue the opportunity.
The 28-year-old will now be sentenced in March, when he hopes to have completed a season with the Australian team.
The judge had initially sentenced him to four months home detention, to start in March, when his contract with the Townsville Crocodiles ends.
His younger teammates, Shea Ili and Reuben Te Rangi, joined in.
Ili has been sentenced to four months community detention and has been ordered to pay $1250 reparations.
Te Rangi will be sentenced on September 10.
All three have engaged in a restorative justice conference, which has been described as a huge success.
Crowded House bar manager, Max O'Leary, said his view of the players changed after meeting with them, even though their behaviour was despicable.
He said they were paying the price for their actions, being stood down from the Southland Sharks and not being considered for the Tall Blacks world cup squad.
He was shocked Southland Sharks management did not have touring policies in place before the incident, and did not do anything to prevent heavily intoxicated players from going out on the town.
