School rugby coach convicted of assault

A North Otago rugby identity has been convicted of assaulting a youth after a night out on the town.

Wayne Kinzett, 40, pleaded guilty in the Oamaru District Court to a charge of injuring with intent to injure, for repeatedly punching Nicholas Jai Young, 19, in the head on June 28.

Kinzett, a hostel manager at Waitaki Boys High School and co-coach of its First XV, will be sentenced on September 21. He is a former North Otago under-18 rugby coach.

Prosecutor Sergeant Tom Scouller said Kinzett was on his way home after a night in a hotel when he was told friends had been involved in a fight.

He saw Mr Young who, although present at the time of the fight, had not wanted to be involved, Mr Scouller said.

Kinzett approached Mr Young and demanded the names of those in the fight. Mr Young said he did not know, and Kinzett grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, held him down, and demanded to know the names in a loud voice.

When Mr Young would not tell him any names, Kinzett punched him seven or eight times. Mr Young then told him a name of someone he knew who could have been involved.

Kinzett let him go, but then punched him twice more.

Mr Young was taken to Oamaru Hospital with extensive bruising and swelling. He was off work for weeks after the attack, awaiting a specialist assessment as he continued to suffer unexplained headaches, Mr Scouller said.

Kinzett, when questioned by police, said he attacked Mr Young because he was trying to help his friends.

Defence counsel Sasha Dolby said Kinzett still disputed the number of punches, but decided to plead guilty as he wanted to deal with the matter.

- NZPA