Nelson man jailed for attack on judge

A Nelson man who leaped out of the dock and lunged at a judge was jailed for 12 months today.

Jacob Donald Matheson, 24, a butcher, told police that he intended to stab Judge Geoffrey Ellis.

He previously admitted assaulting Judge Ellis with intent to injure, assaulting a constable, resisting two constables, and an unrelated charge of doing an indecent act.

Nelson District Court was told today Matheson assaulted Judge Ellis when he appeared in court after exposing himself to a 50-year-old woman on a Nelson walkway.

Matheson became agitated while in the dock and jumped over the railings, launching himself at Judge Ellis.

He threw several punches at the judge, at least two of which connected and also punched a prosecuting sergeant who went to the judge's aid.

Matheson told police he intended to stab the judge with a metal pen he had, but was unable to remove the pen from his pocket.

Crown prosecutor Glen Marshall told the court Matheson's attack on the judge and sergeant struck at the heart of the justice system.

Passing sentence, Judge Tony Zohrab said everyone in the court had the right to perform their function without someone attacking them.

In a civilised country, courts were places where disputes could be solved peacefully but, by launching himself at the judge, Matheson had attacked the justice system.

He said Matheson had suffered from depression for 12 months before his offending in May and that was central to his out-of-character behaviour.

A number of people had provided references for Matheson, saying he was a good person and had been shocked by his offending, Judge Zohrab said.

The court heard that Matheson had written letters of apology to the judge, the sergeant and the female victim he exposed himself to.

Judge Zohrab granted Matheson leave to apply for home detention.

The assault prompted a security upgrade in one of the courtrooms at Nelson courthouse.

- NZPA