Woman bashed bouncer after being refused entry

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A young Rotorua businesswoman assaulted a nightclub doorman after he refused her entry to the club, a court has heard.

Nicole Patricia Harvey, 22, pleaded guilty in the Rotorua District Court yesterday to assaulting the doorman, assaulting a police officer and resisting a police officer.

According to the police summary of facts, Harvey arrived at Heaven & Hell nightclub on Arawa St at 2.20am on December 21 but was denied entry by the doorman. The club operates a one-way policy where nobody is allowed in after 2am.

She became angry and struck the bouncer with an open palm on the top of his nose. He told passing police what happened and Harvey was arrested.

The summary said Harvey resisted arrest, pulling her arms away and yelling and swearing at police. Once restrained she was put in a police car and on the way to the police station continued kicking and struggling. During the journey she tried to bite a police officer's left forearm.

Judge Maree Mackenzie told Harvey it was a reasonable inference she had "simply had far too much to drink". She noted Harvey also had two drink-driving convictions.

"I want to assist you in dealing with your alcohol issues," the judge said. Harvey, a small business owner, was sentenced to nine months' supervision and ordered to attend an alcohol assessment and treatment programme.