Paul Henry assault verdict delayed

Paul Henry was allegedly hit and spat on during a protest outside SkyCity this year. Photo / Supplied

A man accused of shoving and spitting at broadcaster Paul Henry will hear a judge's decision next month.

Diego Leonardo Chavez, 35, appeared in Auckland District Court this morning where Judge David Sharp was due to give his finding on an alleged assault charge.

But the judge said legal submissions by both parties were late and he had no time to consider his verdict.

Chavez was at a protest outside Prime Minister John Key's post-Budget speech at Auckland's SkyCity events centre on May 22.

The court heard evidence last month the defendant allegedly launched himself at Mr Henry and spat at him, hitting him on the neck.

The TV personality said he was suddenly confronted by a screaming mob of semi-deranged people as he was on the way to attend a charity lunch.

"It was very threatening, extraordinarily threatening," he said

"That's the huge issue for me. It was very aggressive. A couple of them were screaming at me right in my face, literally just standing there right in my face. So the options were reducing and it felt like it was becoming more and more inflamed."

Then as he was shepherded away, he was allegedly attacked.

"From behind, someone spat on me and I was pushed. For me that was the final straw. People have a right to protest and expression is very important and should be upheld. But this was way beyond where people should go," Henry told the court.

"The thing I mostly remember was being spat on, which is just such a vile thing to do."

He told the court he did not want to show the impact the incident had on him.

"There's a fair amount of bravado involved when you're a male and I was very conscious I didn't want people to see I was harassed or that there was an emotional strain on me but the reality is it's a very frightening situation, something like that," he said.

The transcript of Chavez's initial police interview was read to the court during the judge-alone trial.

Though he would not answer all questions, Chavez voiced some strong opinions about Henry, whom he described as "racist".

"If Paul Henry says I [shoulder-charged him] you can't believe him because he's a liar and a racist ... just turn on the TV," he said.

If found guilty of the charge, Chavez could face up to a year in jail.