A man who chased and assaulted a 13-year-old girl and accused her of causing trouble has been ordered to complete 150 hours' community work.
Stephen Russell, 52, pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting a child and breach of bail. He appeared for sentencing in Whangarei District Court last week.
The victim was walking with her 13-year-old friend along Tamure Place, Ruakaka, on August 11 last year when they went to a house and asked its owner for permission to pick up oranges.
While picking oranges, the girls heard a man talking to the house owner in a voice that concerned them.
The girls climbed over a fence to run away but Russell chased and caught up with the victim. He then held her around her neck and began abusing her.