Taranaki rugby player Paul Perez has been deported to Samoa on an outstanding removal order, after he was last year convicted of assault.
Perez, 23, was set to appear in New Plymouth District Court today on another assault charge but the defended hearing was adjourned as he had already been deported, the Taranaki Daily News reported.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Lewis Sutton told the court police would not hold up the deportation because of the latest charge.
Perez was served with a removal order by Immigration New Zealand in December after his work permit was revoked following his conviction.
He had been found guilty in November of two counts of domestic assault and wilful damage after he choked and punched his pregnant partner last May.
He was ordered to pay $2029 in reparation to his partner and attend an anger management course. He was also fined $750.
The latest assault charge related to an incident late last November when Perez allegedly went to a man's house and assaulted him.
Perez was halfway through a four-year contract with the Taranaki Rugby Football Union, which said it would await the court decision on the latest assault charge before deciding his future.
Union chief executive Mark Robinson today said he was waiting to hear from Perez's lawyer before commenting to the news media.
Citing privacy restrictions, Immigration New Zealand was unable to confirm Perez had been deported.
