Whanganui man assaulted former colleague over $200 debt

Thomas Kane Gartner was sentenced to 120 hours' community work for assaulting a former colleague. Photo / Bevan Conley

Friends turned foes when a Whanganui man showed up at an address, knocked on the door and attacked the man who answered.

Thomas Kane Gartner appeared in Whanganui District Court on Tuesday having pleaded guilty to common assault.

He was sentenced to 120 hours' community work by Judge Garry Barkle.

Police prosecutor Stephen Butler told the court the victim was an old work colleague whom Gartner claimed owed him $200.

The victim disputed this and a brawl erupted.

"The defendant ripped open the front door of the building and threw multiple punches at the victim," Butler said.

"The defendant then tackled the victim to the ground inside the building and they grappled on the ground until the victim pushed the defendant out the door."

The two then grappled each other on the concrete outside and Gartner struck the victim in the side of the head with his knee and punched him multiple times.

"The defendant became tired and stopped assaulting the victim, the defendant got up, gathering his belongings and left in a vehicle where he was stopped by police a short distance from the scene."

Raukawa Simon was the lawyer for the defence.

"There's a bit of a background in terms of this state of affairs, after a friendship of about five years, this incident occurred because Mr Gartner didn't get his money returned," she said.

"He's here to take responsibility, he was in a time of stress and he does want to move on."

Judge Barkle said Gartner had no history of offending before this matter.

"Mr Gartner I don't know what's behind the $200. Regardless, it doesn't justify this sort of action.

"Your penalty will be 120 hours of community work."