Levi Kahurangi Baxter, 20, appeared in the Dunedin District Court this week after earlier pleading guilty to injuring by unlawful act.
The court heard that on August 23, while the defendant was in the Octagon, his two friends began beating up a man who was with his friend in George St.
Baxter ran to where his friends were assaulting the victim, as he thought his mates were in danger, but soon realised that was not the case.
The defendant joined in kicking and punching the victim about his head and body until the victim fell to the ground.
He was in and out of consciousness, but the group prevented his friend from helping him.
After the minute-long attack, Baxter and his two friends left, celebrating and laughing, the court heard.
This week, counsel John Westgate said his client was remorseful for the assault and had demonstrated insight.
Baxter told his lawyer: ‘‘I soon realised my friend was the aggressor and I was now a party to the crime’’.
‘‘I tried to make myself look cooler by joining in [with the celebration] but in the back of my head I knew it was wrong.’’
Mr Westgate said Baxter had not had any alcohol since the offending.
‘‘I’m confident you won’t see him back here again,’’ the lawyer said.
Judge David Robinson noted the victim had not suffered any long-term complications from the attack, but said it could have been ‘‘a heck of a lot worse’’.
He gave Baxter credit for staying back to call an ambulance for the victim and accepted he was genuinely sorry.
The judge said the group ambush was ‘‘unprovoked, gratuitous violence’’.
‘‘Really, it’s mindless street thuggery, which we see all too often,’’ Judge Robinson said.
‘‘If you weren’t affected by alcohol then this simply wouldn’t have happened.’’
Judge Robinson sentenced Baxter to three months’ community detention, 12 months’ supervision and 75 hours’ community work.
He also ordered the defendant to pay the victim $750 emotional harm reparation.
‘‘This has to be the last time you come back before the court,’’ the judge said.
‘‘You have got so much potential and so much to lose.’’
Baxter’s co-defendants are due to be sentenced later this year.
