Man acquitted of guard's murder gives evidence

Charanpreet Singh Dhaliwal is believed to have died from multiple skull fractures and other head injuries after he was attacked at an Auckland building site in 2011. Photo / Supplied

A man found not guilty of killing a young Indian security guard on his first night on the job was on bail at the time of the incident for a street fighting charge in which he was supposed to stick to a curfew and alcohol ban.

Hateni Latu, 30, was later jailed for punching a nightclub bouncer on the same night Charanpreet Singh Dhaliwal, 22, was killed.

Mr Dhaliwal is believed to have died from multiple skull fractures and other head injuries after he was attacked at an Auckland building site in 2011.

A three-day hearing into his death began yesterday in the North Shore District Court.

Latu today gave evidence at the inquest, with coroner JP Ryan permitting his name to be published for the first time since he was granted name suppression for his 2013 High Court trial over Mr Dhaliwal's death.

Dressed in his prison-issued grey track pants and T-shirt, with a blue basketball jacket and closely shaved hair, Latu stood in the witness box, flanked by two security guards, and with a Tongan interpreter to assist him.

He repeatedly denied being responsible for Mr Dhaliwal's death, saying he was not lying or making up his story.

Latu described the night of November 17, 2011, when he had been drinking with three friends -- Vaughan Henare-Vaihu, Allen Ulugia, and another man known as 'Eddie' -- before going to a nightclub in Henderson, where they were refused entry because they did not have any identification.

Latu attempted to walk into the club, but the bouncer pushed him back, and he punched him, the inquest heard.

He described himself as "tipsy" at that stage, not drunk, but admitted that his bail conditions at the time -- on a charge of fighting on Pitt St in central Auckland -- included an overnight curfew and a ban on drinking alcohol.

The four friends ran to the nearby Fulton Hogan construction depot on Selwood Rd, Henderson, and jumped the fence to hide, but were confronted by Mr Dhaliwal who told them to leave and threatened to call police.

At his trial it was alleged Latu picked up a piece of 4x2 timber and hit Mr Dhaliwal over the head with it. Latu has always denied this, and continued to do so today. Even under heated questioning from lawyer for the police David Johnstone and counsel to assist the coroner Fletcher Pilditch -- who asked Latu if he was "comfortable" with the not guilty verdict given at his trial and whether he "slept well at night" -- he held his stance.

Latu insisted he only threw a piece of timber in the direction of Mr Dhaliwal "to scare him", and that he witnessed Mr Ulugia punching Mr Dhaliwal. As the security guard fell to the ground, Mr Ulugia kneed him in the head, Latu said.

Mr Johnstone accused Latu of lying and "making it up". But Latu repeatedly answered: "That's not right."

He added: "I never made anything up. This is a serious charge, this is murder."

Latu similarly told Mr Pilditch: "I'm not making it up. This is a big case for me and I have to come up and tell the truth, that's why I'm here. It's the truth, it's the truth."

Yesterday, Mr Ulugia told the inquest he saw Latu hit the security guard with a piece of timber, and described how he then hit him again while he was collapsed on the ground.

Mr Dhaliwal began to shake "like a seizure", Mr Ulugia told the coroner.

Mr Henare-Vaihu also told the hearing yesterday that he saw Latu "take a swing" at the security guard, and heard "what sounded like another hit" as he fled the scene.

It also emerged today that Latu has a string of convictions to his name, most relating to drunken violent incidents, including a group assault on a couple in a KFC carpark, assault with intent to injure, and other street fighting incidents, as well as an aggravated robbery conviction.

Mr Johnstone accused Latu of being "the fighter" of his group of friends and that he liked to "show off that you're a hard man".

Latu said: "I'm not a fighter, but I can stand up for myself."

He also denied having a problem with alcohol or having an aggressive nature.

The inquest continues.