Lightning strike lessens sentence for man guilty of indecent assault of child

A man who indecently assaulted a child and assaulted three other children was given a lesser sentence due to a brain injury suffered after a lightning strike.

The man pleaded guilty in Blenheim District Court today to charges of indecently assaulting a child under 14 on several occasions, the Marlborough Express reported.

He also admitted to assaulting two children under 11 years old and kicking a child.

All incidents occurred between 2013 and 2015.

The court heard that the man, who has name suppression, was hit by lightning that affected his brain function, the Marlborough Express reported.

Judge David Ruth said normally a prison sentence would be appropriate for the type of offending, but the Court needed to consider a less restrictive sentence so he could be rehabilitated.

He was sentenced to 12 months' supervision, 100 hours community work, and was to receive counselling, the Marlborough Express reported.