Bowls champion denies assault, damage

Gary Raymond Lawson. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

Bowls champion Gary Raymond Lawson has opted to defend allegations of assault and wilful damage and the case has been transferred to Wellington.

Lawson was charged over an incident involving a taxi driver and his car in Wellington on November 6.

Lawson, 45, a two-time world champion, originally appeared in Wellington but had the charge transferred to Christchurch on December 3.

His defence counsel Andrew McKenzie said then that Wellington police had agreed to diversion, a scheme for first offenders to avoid a criminal conviction if they make amends and apologise.

However, Christchurch police would not agree to diversion and Lawson has now indicated he plans to plead not guilty and has had the case transferred back to Wellington for a defended hearing, the Christchurch Court News website reported.

Lawson, whose address is given as Northcote, Christchurch, is next due to appear in the Wellington District Court on February 10, for a status hearing which usually settles arrangements for a hearing before a judge alone.

- NZPA