Masterton money man 'vindicated'

DISMISSED: Tim Fairbrother with his "immensely relieved" wife, Carissa, after the verdict. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

Masterton financial adviser Tim Fairbrother says he feels "vindicated" by the judgment released yesterday dismissing a charge of assault against him.

The ruling, by Judge Bill Hastings, was released to police and others on Thursday but to news media yesterday, following defended hearings on September 2 and November 17.

Mr Fairbrother said the 12-page judgment "is pretty tough reading", but described it as "a sensible result".

"It's great to be vindicated," Mr Fairbrother said.

Mr Fairbrother was charged with assaulting Troy Sayer at a party for their victorious cricket team, at a bach on the Whareama River on November 22 last year. He claimed self defence, saying Sayer had threatened to kill him, and had put his hands around his throat.

"After all the rumours and the fabrications that have been going around in the community, they can now be put to bed with this judgment," Mr Fairbrother said.

He said he was "disappointed over it; I've lost a friendship".

"It's something that should have been sorted out in the boardroom ... I'm glad we got a sensible result, and me and my family can move on with our lives.

"The lesson in our situation is that planned times can go bad when there is alcohol involved, even with friends - just making sure that young people are aware of that."

Mr Fairbrother said if the events "had been anywhere else I could have got in a taxi and driven home", but this was not possible at the isolated river bach.

"It's great to be vindicated; it should never have happened."