Text exchange led to violence

Heroics turned into violence and court charges for two Hawera men who were caught up in a text slanging match.

On June 23 about 7pm, Brian Randall, 23, and Deane Trim, 22, drove to Naumai Park in Hawera to confront two teenagers who had been exchanging text messages with their girlfriends.

The two men had been asked by the girlfriends to scare the teens.

Randall and Trim drove to where the two were drinking in a car parked at the edge of Naumai Park.

Making sure they had the right people, Randall punched one of them in the mouth and Trim punched the other in the face and kicked him in the ribs and back of the head.

They all left when one of the girlfriends yelled at them to stop.

After being arrested Randall and Trim both admitted they were stupid and regretted getting involved.

In the Hawera District Court on Tuesday, the pair admitted charges of common assault.

Judge Allan Roberts said one of the victims was 18 years old.

"He was a schoolboy and no match at all for you two thugs.

"In future if you get a text or calls from girls asking you to do their dirty work, think twice."

Both were convicted and ordered to pay $1000 emotional harm reparation.

A Hawera man with alleged gang affiliations was denied bail as he faces a charge of beating a man unconscious.

Nahshon King, 23, did not enter a plea.

He was charged with intending to cause grievous bodily harm to Kanin Herbert on July 6. The maximum penalty for the charge is 14 years' imprisonment.

Defence counsel Grant Vosseler submitted that King did not have an extensive history of violent offending and he could be bailed to Patea with strict conditions.

But Judge Roberts pointed out he had been convicted of assaulting a female in 2004 and common assault in 2006.

King also had eight convictions for disobedience, including burglary and failing to answer bail.

The judge denied bail on the grounds there was a risk of King interfering with victims and witnesses, his criminal past and his perceived gang allegiances.

He was remanded in custody, to reappear on October 26 for formal committal.

- © Fairfax NZ News