Constable Russell Lowe, 49, appeared in the Rotorua District Court yesterday for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to a charge of male assaults female.
Constable Russell Lowe, 49, appeared in the Rotorua District Court yesterday for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to a charge of male assaults female.
A Rotorua policeman has had his sentencing delayed so he can do voluntary community work - which may help him avoid an assault conviction.
Constable Russell Lowe, 49, appeared in the Rotorua District Court yesterday for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to a charge of male assaults female.
The courthad previously heard his offending stemmed from an incident that occurred when he was "acting in the line of duty".
Judge Russell Collins said Lowe had extensive life skills that would be of huge benefit and make a meaningful contribution to the community.
He said if Lowe was to do 80 hours of community work it would demonstrate that he was remorseful.
"The gravity of the offence would be reduced so far that the consequence of a conviction would be out of proportion [to the offence]," Judge Collins said.
He said it would be Lowe's choice where he volunteered.
"Mr Lowe is a man with significant skills that I'm sure will extensively benefit the community rather than pull out weeds on a walkway."
