Jail over New Year's Day assault

CHRISTCHURCH - Twenty-three-year-old Tihina Edwards was jailed for two years for an assault in central Christchurch that put a man in a coma for six weeks.

The partner of the attack victim read her victim impact statement to the Christchurch District Court before the sentencing by Judge Raoul Neave.

It was feared for a time that the victim might not live after the assault took place in Cathedral Square in the early hours of New Year's Day.

Edwards, a welder from Avonside, absconded while on remand on bail and was eventually picked up in Auckland and returned to Christchurch.

He later pleaded guilty to the charge of causing the man grievous bodily harm with reckless disregard for his safety.

- NZPA