Death accused attacked in court by victim's father

A forestry worker accused of murder was today attacked by the victim's father when he appeared for a depositions hearing.

The depositions hearing was only 30 minutes into its first day when the man leapt from the front row of the public gallery and punched Damien Harley MacDonald, who was sitting only a metre away alongside his lawyer.

Lawyers, police and people in the public gallery of Nelson District Court pulled the man off.

The 20-year-old is charged with murdering Nicholas William Winter last March.

The public gallery of the small courtroom was full and a woman in the back row had begun sobbing as Detective Kelvin Heiford outlined the serious facial injuries suffered by Mr Winter.

The man in the front row of the public gallery jumped up and lunged at MacDonald, punching him several times before being pulled off and escorted from the court.

The case was adjourned for an hour while arrangements were made to transfer it to a larger courtroom.

Police said later that the father had been charged with common assault and banned from attending the depositions hearing.

- NZPA