In Napier District Court yesterday 17 year-old Joshua McConville was sentenced to three years and nine months imprisonment after earlier pleading guilty to wounding Stuart Martin with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Mr Martin, a commercial pilot, had been living in Australia and had come to New Zealand for a friend's wedding when he was assaulted in suburban Taradale in February this year.
Mr Martin was knocked to the ground by McConville and two associates before being repeatedly punched and kicked. McConville stomped on his head, leaving an impression of his shoe on the side of his victim's face.
The three left Mr Martin unconscious on the Taradale street. He was later put into an induced coma for several days, with swelling to his face and head.
The court was told he had since returned to his family in England to recuperate but had ongoing neurological complications which affected his moods.
The assault had left him unsure and uneasy and authorities in the United Kingdom might have considerable misgivings about relicensing him as a commercial pilot, said Judge Tony Adeane passing sentence yesterday.
Cameron Mitchell said his son had asked him five months ago not to be too scathing about whatever sentence was dished out to McConville.
"He wants this behind him -- it is something he does not talk about," he told Hawke's Bay Today from his home in Berwick upon Tweed in northern England.
"I think the sentence is appropriate. Under the circumstances, it is about right." Mr Martin said he had heard McConville had shown remorse.
"Hopefully, he will learn from this," he said.
"He has a long time now to think about what he has done."
