Boy, 8, kicked for being 'too slow' eating dinner

A Wellington father has been given a chance to escape conviction for the assault of his eight-year-old son.

The 44-year-old, who has interim name suppression, has pleaded guilty in Wellington District Court to assaulting a child.

Crown prosecutor Erin King said the assault took place on July 19 while the man, his wife, two children and brother-in-law were eating dinner.

His son was taking too long to eat his meal which angered the man. He lunged at the boy across the table knocking over a birdcage before going round to the boy and kicking him in the ribs with a bare foot, dragging him into the lounge and telling him to "piss off".

Since the assault, the father has undertaken several counselling and rehabilitative courses including the living without violence programme and pastoral counselling.

Defence counsel Helen Croft said the man had a "deep feeling of remorse" over the incident.

"He will try and ensure it doesn't happen again."

Judge Ian Mill said the approaches being taken were good.

"It is quite clear that this (the assault) exceeded what was needed in the circumstances."

He said if the defendant completed all his counselling and anger management courses he would be discharged without conviction. The defendant is to return to court on October 9 to prove this completion.

- NZPA