Spade attack accused walks free as witness says 'I was drunk'

A man accused of hitting a sleeping woman with a spade walked free from the Napier District Court yesterday, after his alleged victim said she was drunk while giving evidence at an earlier depositions hearing.

Paul Ropiha, 30, faced a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to do so, and an alternative of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to injure. He pleaded not guilty at the beginning of the trial.

The woman, Te Rangi Wikotu, told an earlier depositions hearing she fell asleep on a bed at a Hastings address on April 21, and awoke to see Ropiha standing nearby with a spade.

She was struck with the spade as she lay on the bed, suffering two broken ribs and a ruptured spleen.

Ms Wikotu yesterday told crown prosecutor Clayton Walker she was not sure who was holding the spade.

Mr Walker asked if she remembered telling the earlier court hearing it was Ropiha.

"Yeah, but I was drunk that day, too," she replied.

Following submissions from counsel, Judge Richard Watson made an explanation to the jury and discharged them, but directed the explanation not be published.

- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY