Man admits attacking judge in court

A man today admitted attacking a judge in Nelson District Court last month.

Jacob Donald Matheson, 24, pleaded guilty to assaulting Judge Geoffrey Ellis with intent to injure, assaulting a constable, resisting arrest, and an unrelated charge of doing an indecent act.

Police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Rex Morris told the court that on May 2 Matheson exposed himself to a 50-year-old woman.

When he appeared in court a week later, he became agitated, jumped out of the dock and threw himself at Judge Ellis.

He landed at least two blows on the judge and also punched a prosecuting sergeant who went to the judge's aid, before he was subdued.

Matheson, a butcher, later told police he intended to stab the judge with a pen.

He was remanded for sentencing and detained in custody until a bail hearing later today.

- NZPA