A promising rugby league player who denied spear tackling a man in Queenstown earlier this year was yesterday fined by Judge Tom Broadmore in the Queenstown District Court after admitting an amended charge.
Taylor William Enright (19), of Christchurch, was initially charged with injuring Jonathan Marshall with intent and assaulting Mr Marshall on January 2 in Queenstown, both of which he denied.
The matter was set down for a judge-alone trial yesterday.
However, following discussions, the lead charge was amended to injuring Mr Marshall under circumstances that if death had been caused he would have been guilty of manslaughter, which Enright admitted.
The assault charge was withdrawn by police.
Prosecuting Sergeant Ian Collin said Enright and a group of associates were on the corner of Camp and Beach Sts at 12.55am and as Mr Marshall walked past Enright ''picked him up off his feet in what was described as a spear tackle on to concrete''.
Sgt Collin said Mr Marshall lay on the footpath concussed and Enright ran off.
The victim was taken to Lakes District Hospital before being transferred to Southland Hospital for treatment of suspected head injuries, but made a full recovery.
Enright was found a short time after the incident at a hotel. He admitted ''banging into'' Mr Marshall but denied the spear tackle.
Enright, representing himself, told Judge Broadmore he had been ''mucking around on slippery tiles'' when he hit a grip, was flung forward and connected with Mr Marshall.
''I saw his head hit the ground, I asked if he was all right, he said: `Yes'.
''I walked off and went straight to the hotel.''
Enright told Judge Broadmore he was offered a training spot with the Brisbane Broncos U20 rugby league club and was to have moved to Australia at the start of the year to begin training.
Bail conditions meant he had to postpone his move.
''I'm meant to be flying to Australia [this week] and start my league career over there ...''
Judge Broadmore said he considered the amended charge was justified by the circumstances and that police ''would have struggled'' to establish intent to injure Mr Marshall.
Judge Broadmore considered the circumstances amounted to carelessness at the lower level.
It was clear Enright was remorseful and ''emphatic'' he did not intend to hurt Mr Marshall.
He was convicted, fined $1000, ordered to pay $500 reparation to Mr Marshall and $1000 for witness costs, along with $130 court costs, to be paid by tomorrow.
