By LOUISA CLEAVE
A single punch from former All Black Troy Flavell has left a man nursing four broken teeth, likely to cost $55,000 in dental bills.
In the Auckland District Court yesterday, Flavell, 27, pleaded guilty to assaulting the 23-year-old, who has name suppression. He was ordered to pay the man $5500.
The punch thrown by Flavell at Coast Bar on May 15 left his victim with the broken teeth. Police said the dental costs were estimated to amount to $55,000 over the man's lifetime.
Flavell returned from Japan, where he has a $1.4 million contract to play rugby, to face the assault charge.
The court was told that the dental injury would be covered by accident compensation, but there would be a shortfall that the victim would have to meet.
There was a high risk that the man would lose a tooth and might need a titanium implant.
The court heard that about 2.30am on May 15, Flavell was walking back to friends with a tray of drinks when he was knocked by the 23-year-old. The collision caused the drinks to fall to the floor and Flavell suffered a cut to his hand which required stitches.
Police said Flavell followed the young man and confronted him, lashing out with a punch to the face which caused the broken teeth and a cut lip.
Flavell's lawyer, Paul Wicks, said independent witnesses had a different view of the altercation and those views were accepted by police.
Mr Wicks said the collision was deliberate, and a woman standing behind Flavell was knocked by the impact.
She called out to the victim, "who swore and carried on walking".
Mr Wicks said Flavell regretted his actions, had apologised to the victim during a meeting yesterday and had written a letter of apology.
He said Flavell was often approached while out socialising by men who asked: "Are you as tough as they say? Let's step outside and see who is the toughest."
Flavell would walk away "nine times out of 10". In this case, because of the female, he lost his judgment, Mr Wicks said.
Judge Robert Kerr convicted Flavell and ordered him to pay reparation of $5500 for future dental work and emotional harm.
Judge Kerr said Flavell obviously had a high profile and some people in bars seemed to think that "if you have a high profile you better put your fists where your mouth is".
It was unfortunate that Flavell did not walk away from the situation, the judge said.
Outside the court, Mr Wicks said Flavell did not want to say anything further about the case. The player is due to return to Japan next week.
Flavell's $55,000 punch
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