One wedding, five assaults

A bride has forgiven the man who went on a rampage at her wedding, assaulting four guests and the groom. Rawiri Colin Johnston was at his cousin’s wedding reception in New Plymouth on September 22, 2017. About 10pm, he kicked at another guest who had just arrived. After throwing a can of alcohol at the victim and missing, Johnston grabbed him by the shirt collar. The pair began to brawl but were stopped by other guests. Johnston then abused the man again before punching him several times in the chest. The bride tried to pull Johnston off the victim but the trio tripped over. The bride was uninjured but the fall caused the victim to dislocate a shoulder. Then Johnston shoved the victim’s father, causing him to fall and hit his head on concrete. Johnston then head butted a third man in the face. A group of people removed Johnston from the property. Johnston then tore a steel pipe gate from its hinges and hurled it at group of bystanders, including the groom. Johnston then punched the groom in the face. In March, Johnston pleaded guilty to five charges, including three counts of common assault and assault with intent to injure. Yesterday, he was sentenced in the New Plymouth District Court by Judge Chris Sygrove who said the bride had expressed her forgiveness in a letter. Sygrove said Johnston had a problem with alcohol and sentenced him to 71⁄ months of home detention and

2 ordered him to pay $200 emotional harm reparation to each victim.