A Dunedin scaffolder allegedly smashed a 71-year-old man around the head with a piece of wood during an ``out-of-control'' Christmas party.
Brendon Kerihama Keen (38) pleaded not guilty to a charge of wounding with intent to injure at the start of his jury trial before the Dunedin District Court yesterday.
Keen and the rest of the employees of Scaffold For Less had gathered at the company's Christmas party on December 23 last year.
The 71-year-old complainant, Anthony ``Hank'' Maclean - the father of the business owner - arrived at the gathering about 2.30pm.
His son had laid on gin, brandy, pre-mixed RTDs, beer and food for the staff.
Mr Maclean said when he arrived in the afternoon there were about 20 people at the party, half of whom were staff members.
Keen helped him cook mussels and venison on the barbecue.
The mood was good, Mr Maclean said.
He had never had a problem with the defendant during the two years he had worked there.
``I had him down as a friend,'' he said. ``He was respected.''
But the mood changed, Mr Maclean told the jury, about 8pm when Keen suggested the staff should be getting paid more.
There was pushing and shoving; and several fights started as tensions boiled over.
``The whole thing was a like a rugby scrum that had gone mad on the paddock,'' he said. ``And I was the referee.''
Mr Maclean said he persuaded a couple of men to go home but others were more stubborn and remained.
He even turned the hose on them at one point in a bid to defuse the situation, the court heard.
Keen, he said, allegedly tried to attack his boss several times from behind.
Mr Maclean said several times he suggested to his son he should call the police but his son declined on each occasion.
Later, Mr Maclean said he went out on to the road to look at a damaged vehicle when he was whacked around the head without warning.
The blow struck his face, causing cuts above his eyebrow and the bridge of his nose.
Counsel Anne Stevens suggested the wounds were caused by a punch but Mr Maclean was adamant.
``It was a solid blow. It wasn't a punch. I've done a bit of boxing, I know what a punch feels like.''
As he was bent over, the complainant said, a second blow caught him on the right arm.
Though he did not see Keen, he said the defendant's voice was unmistakable as he yelled an insult.
Mr Maclean said the plank of wood he believed was used as a weapon was dropped near him.
Mrs Stevens told the jury the older man initiated the violence.
``[The] defence is that Mr Maclean struck him with the piece of wood, injuring his right leg, and in response and out of anger, Mr Keen punched Mr Maclean once in the face,'' she said.
``He did not intend to injure him by wounding him.''
Keen was immediately set upon by others at the party following the exchange, Mrs Stevens said.
The trial is expected to conclude tomorrow.
