A New Zealand lawyer has been assaulted by a defendant at court.
The lawyer (who is unnamed) was attending the Christchurch Court House as a duty solicitor providing a pro bono service to defendants facing criminal charges. He was in a small interview room giving legal advice to an offender, Stephen Andrew Vincent, who was blind drunk and reeked of booze. The lawyer informed Vincent that he wouldn't be fit to appear in court since it was very obvious that he'd been on the sauce.
Vincent, as if to prove the lawyer's point, got up and walloped the lawyer in the head, causing him to fall off his chair and onto the floor. Fearing for his safety, the lawyer left the room, with a bruised and cut face as well as broken glasses.
Police charged Vincent (who was already on supervision) with assault. He has now been hauled before court where he pleaded guilty to the assault charge. The judge has remanded him on bail for sentencing in December.
Tip Off ROF
The lawyer (who is unnamed) was attending the Christchurch Court House as a duty solicitor providing a pro bono service to defendants facing criminal charges. He was in a small interview room giving legal advice to an offender, Stephen Andrew Vincent, who was blind drunk and reeked of booze. The lawyer informed Vincent that he wouldn't be fit to appear in court since it was very obvious that he'd been on the sauce.
Vincent, as if to prove the lawyer's point, got up and walloped the lawyer in the head, causing him to fall off his chair and onto the floor. Fearing for his safety, the lawyer left the room, with a bruised and cut face as well as broken glasses.
 |
"So the procedure for complaints is to ... ouch!" |