Man admits assaulting Ryder

A Canterbury builder has today admitted assaulting cricket star Jesse Ryder outside a Christchurch bar two years ago.

The 39-year-old man was initially charged with assault and injuring with reckless disregard for the safety of Ryder who was in an induced coma for nearly three days after the assault.

He was due to stand trial in March but today he pleaded guilty at Christchurch District Court to an amended charge of assault with intent to injure.

His name suppression was continued by Judge Stephen O'Driscoll today until he is sentenced in May.

The man's 22-year-old nephew earlier admitted charge of assault following the altercation with the controversial cricketer outside a Merivale bar on the night of March 28, 2013.

He will also be sentenced on May 6.

Both men have been remanded on bail.

The trio had shared a drink at the Aikmans bar on the night Ryder was there with Wellington Firebirds team-mates.

Ryder spent almost three days in a coma and several months recovering before he was back playing cricket.

Judge O'Driscoll called for a pre-sentence report which would assess the older man's suitability for a sentence of home detention.

The matter was brought forward by Judge O'Driscoll after learning that the accused was going to plead to an amended charge.

The man was granted name suppression initially by a judge on the basis of fair trial issues.

Even though the man, who appeared in court today in a suit and tie, had pleaded guilty, Judge O'Driscoll said suppression should continue until sentencing as his co-offender was not present in court today, and he was unaware if the younger man would argue for suppression himself at sentencing.

The builder's defence counsel Jonathan Eaton, QC, said his client was "quite willing" to participate in a restorative justice conference with Ryder.

Previous comments by Ryder on meeting the men who assaulted him were now historic, Mr Eaton said, and now that there "might be water under the bridge" and more clarity around the facts, Ryder may have a different view.

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