Undie rioter let off, if makes instant charity donation

One of the Undie 500 rioters has been allowed to walk free from court after agreeing to make an instant donation to charity.

Christchurch Methodist Mission had a $500 windfall from 21-year-old Canterbury University engineering student Leon Edward Evans.

Police warned him repeatedly to stop approaching them while they dealt with another group during the night of mayhem on August 25.

He threw a bottle at them.

Evans pleaded guilty in Christchurch District Court today to a charge of disorderly behaviour likely to cause violence.

Defence counsel Glenda Murphy said Evans had no recollection of his behaviour and was very embarrassed. She asked that he be discharged without conviction.

Judge Robert Murfitt said he would grant the discharge if Evans went across the road from the Court House, made a $500 donation to the Methodist Mission, and returned with the receipt.

An hour later, Evans had made the payment and got his discharge.

- NZPA