Hori Irimana Gemmell appeared in the Invercargill District Court yesterday, where his defence counsel Jono Ross entered a guilty plea
to a charge of common assault.
The police summary of facts said the incident happened on January 17, when Gemmell was remanded at Invercargill Men’s Prison.
At the time of the incident, Gemmell and the victim were at North Yard Three of the prison, watching other inmates play touch rugby.
They were two metres apart.
Gemmell "walked up quickly" in the victim’s direction.
"In an unprovoked attack, the defendant kicked the victim in the head using his right foot."
Gemmell grabbed the victim by his right shoulder with his left hand and threw several quick punches with his right hand to the victim’s head, the court heard.
The victim then punched Gemmell once with his left hand in an attempt to stop the blows.
"The defendant grabbed the victim by the head and kicked him in the head and his knee eight times."
The prosecutor said the victim managed to push Gemmell away while they threw a few punches at each other.
"When the defendant noticed corrections officers through the glass visor of the entry door, he quickly sat down on the bench."
As a result of the assault the victim received a couple of cuts inside his mouth.
Judge Russell Walker remanded Gemmell in custody and scheduled a sentencing hearing for next week.
