Chiefs' lock convicted after pub brawl

By GREGG WYCHERLEY

New Chiefs lock Reece Robinson has been convicted of assault and obstructing police after a drunken pub brawl last year.

Robinson, 24, admitted the charges yesterday in the Hamilton District Court. He was remanded at large until sentencing next month.

Two further charges, one of conspiring to defeat the course of justice, and indecent assault against a woman, were withdrawn by police.

Prosecutor Sergeant William Cronin said Robinson had been drinking with his younger brother, Shane, and a group of others on November 3 last year at the Shed 2 bar in Ahuriri, Napier.

"They were all extremely intoxicated and had been spoken to by security staff on at least two occasions for throwing ice at patrons and for knocking other patrons around due to some drunken and unruly behaviour on the dance floor."

Mr Cronin said Robinson became involved in an argument with a woman as he was leaving the bar about 1am.

The woman's friend made a comment to her about Robinson's behaviour, the 2m, 106kg lock overheard the remark and punched the man in the forehead.

"This defendant is a very large man in comparison to the complainant ... his comment was not directed at the defendant and he did nothing else to provoke him in any way."

The victim suffered a gash that required six stitches, but his ordeal was not over, as Shane Robinson and friends followed him outside and attacked him.

Reece Robinson observed the second attack but did not participate.

Robinson fled the scene with his brother when he saw police arrive, and the pair exchanged shirts to confuse identification.

"This was an attempt to obstruct police from ascertaining through inquiries who had been responsible for the various assaults," said Mr Cronin.

Robinson admitted that he had changed shirts but said he had been trying to protect his younger brother.

Chiefs boss Gary Dawson said team management had been aware of the incident since it happened and support staff had been working with Robinson regarding the incident.

He said Robinson regretted his actions and steps had been taken to ensure the matter had been handled in an appropriate and professional way.

Robinson was reserve lock for Taranaki's NPC team last year, and in 2001 won NPC Division Two Player of the Year while playing for Hawkes Bay.

The Chiefs have had problems in the past with another lock, Keith Robinson, who is not related to Reece Robinson but has also been in trouble for a drunken brawl involving his own brother.

Keith Robinson and his brother were involved in a New Year's Day fight at a Coromandel motor camp last year where the camp owner was later sent to hospital with a blood clot on his brain.

Whitianga police were called to the camp, where they restrained Robinson and his brother and removed them from the camp.

The victim's police complaint was not upheld, but Keith Robinson was disciplined by team management for his part in the fight.