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An army sergeant has been disciplined after he punched two soldiers in the face as punishment for bad behaviour.
Staff Sergeant Paul Dodds pleaded guilty to two counts of striking a person of lower rank, at a court martial at Linton army base yesterday.
Dodds, who previously had a flawless 16-year record with the army, was fined $2000 and cannot be promoted for at least 18 months.
The charges related to an incident in October when Dodds interviewed the two privates over allegedly harassing another soldier.
Dodd told the court the drunk privates had gone to the man's house in the middle of the night, and had been asked to leave because a newborn baby was there.
Instead they had smashed plates and dragged washing through the garden.
Dodds said their uncaring attitude as he questioned them caused him to snap and punch them both.
The break-up of his marriage, overwork and the diagnosis of a friend with cancer had contributed to his "stressed and fragile" state, Dodds said.
- NZPA
