Not guilty plea over coma teen

Regan Brian Smith, 19, pleaded not guilty to a charge of wounding his rugby clubmate Sean Robinson with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

A Masterton teenager is pleading not guilty to wounding a fellow rugby player with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The charge relates to an incident in the carpark behind Masterton District Council last month which left Sean Robinson, 19, in a critical condition.

In Masterton District Court yesterday, Regan Brian Smith, 19, pleaded not guilty and elected trial by jury.

Police allege a fight took place between the two Pioneer Rugby Club players around 2am on Sunday, June 15.

Robinson received serious head injuries and was airlifted from Wairarapa Hospital to Wellington Hospital.

He was placed in an induced coma and had a successful operation to reduce swelling in his brain.

He is now recovering at a Porirua rehabilitation centre.

Smith was originally charged with common assault but it was withdrawn.

The charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.

Judge Barbara Morris remanded Smith on bail until September 4 for a case review hearing.