Sailor admits crew assault while drinking

A sailor on the navy frigate HMNZS Te Kaha punched a crewmate so hard he broke an eye socket and the victim had to be sent home from an overseas deployment to recuperate, his court martial was told today.

The victim was one of two men Leading Seaman Danny Tohutika Heke, 32, admitted punching in the head when the warship was berthed at the Australian port of Cairns.

The court martial at the Devonport naval base in Auckland was told the incident happened when Heke and several crewmates went ashore in Cairns in April, booking into a backpackers hostel, and spending the day drinking.

During an argument Heke punched the two able seamen in the head.

One of the men was sent to a medical centre wher he was diagnosed with a fractured eye socket. He was found to be unfit for duty and sent home to New Zealand two days later.

The court martial is expected to end today.

- NZPA