A Queenstown musician who seriously assaulted his ex-girlfriend’s new partner has been given a chance to address his alcohol issues.
A "heavily intoxicated" Matthaeus Te Raroa Hiemer was drinking with friends in the resort town’s CBD about 4am on July 15 when he saw his former girlfriend with the victim in Queenstown Mall.
The 24-year-old followed the couple, and as they reached Church St, he ran at the victim and tackled him from behind.
After they both went to the ground, Hiemer delivered a "flurry of forceful, closed-fist punches, with alternating fists" to the victim’s head, the police summary said.
Passers-by intervened and protected the victim from the defendant until police arrived.
The victim suffered a cut above his left eye, and swelling on one side of his face.
In his victim impact statement, he said "I’m always going to watch my back when I’m out", in case the defendant tried to attack him again.
Hiemer told police the victim punched him first, but his claim was discounted by CCTV footage.
He was charged with assault with intent to injure, resisting police — as a result of an incident the following day — and breaching a community work sentence imposed last year.
The latest convictions add to the six Hiemer has incurred since moving to Queenstown in 2021, including two for common assault.
In May last year, he was sentenced to community work and supervision, the latter to enable intervention for his alcohol issues.
He was told by the sentencing judge on that occasion he had reached a "crossroads", and more offending would lead to prison.
However, at Hiemer’s sentencing in the Queenstown District Court yesterday, Judge Catriona Doyle decided to give him another opportunity to address his alcohol and violence issues.
She was satisfied his remorse was genuine, and that he understood any further offending was likely to result in a more punitive sentence.
She also took account of an emotional plea by his mother, from the public gallery, for the court to give her son another chance to turn his life around.
Judge Doyle ordered Hiemer to pay the victim $400 reparation for emotional harm, and imposed 12 months’ judicially-monitored intensive supervision.
He must undergo alcohol and drug counselling, and complete a non-violence programme.
Also sentenced in the Queenstown District Court yesterday were.—
— Jack Clayton, 22, landscape gardener, of Queenstown, drink-driving (772mcg), Frankton Rd, October 21, fined $800, court costs $130, disqualified six months.
— Ryan William Scheib, 33, of Arthurs Point, breaching zero-alcohol licence (30mg), September 2, Queenstown, fined $500, medical and analyst fees $215.34, disqualified three months, zero-alcohol licence provisions.
— Guy Williams, PIJF court reporter
