Soldier's basher a 'coward'

A man involved in the Christchurch rebuild who helped bash a soldier unconscious and left him on the street in the quake-ravaged city has been described by a judge as "a bully and a coward".

Judge Chris McGuire made the comment when Dennis Te Arama Burrows, 25, and his younger brother Troyden Te Marino Burrows, 21, appeared in the Taupo District Court for sentencing on charges of common assault. The pair had earlier admitted the June 29 attack, which followed a fight at a bar in Rolleston, Christchurch.

The police summary of facts says after the brothers were thrown out of the bar at about 12.40am, they were driving with a third man when they saw the victim walking along the street and mistook him for one of the people they had been fighting. Burrows tackled the victim from behind, knocking him to the ground and then all three punched and kicked him repeatedly.

The victim was unable to resist and suffered cuts, scratches, bruising and a black eye. He remembered nothing of the attack, other than waking up on the ground. The brothers were in Christchurch working on rebuilding projects but have since moved back to Taupo.

Dennis Burrows appeared first, and Judge Chris McGuire said he had a number of concerns about sentencing him, saying he did not think community work and supervision were appropriate. He said he doubted Dennis Burrows was truly remorseful.

Burrows' lawyer, Louise Foley, said that at the time Dennis Burrows had believed the victim was involved in the bar fight, but now accepted that regardless of that, attacking him was not appropriate. She said he realised that he was at a crossroads in his life and needed to address his issues.

Judge McGuire described Dennis Burrows as "a bully and a coward" and said Dennis Burrows had "won Lotto" when he was only charged with common assault. He also noted Dennis Burrows had previous convictions.

"Why am I not surprised that it was male assaults female in 2009? That's what bullies do, bullies beat up on people who are weaker and less able to defend themselves."

Dennis Burrows' sentencing was adjourned until December 4 while he finds somewhere suitable to live with his partner and three children. Judge McGuire indicated that his sentence would be one of home detention.

When it was Troyden Burrows' turn to appear, his lawyer Mark Kirkeby told the court that his client's situation was quite different. He had no previous convictions, a full-time job, and "clearly acknowledged that he had got it wrong".

Judge McGuire told Troyden Burrows he would be dealt with differently from his older brother. He sentenced him to 200 hours community work, ordered him to pay reparation of $27 to the victim for a torn shirt, and gave him a jail warning.

"You've probably gathered that I'm not impressed by what I've heard here."