A New Zealand man who was caught after he snuck up on a pair of policemen in Christchurch and gave them two hard spankings has been fined.
New Zealand’s The Press reports: “They say Jonathan Michael Berry, 24, struck them with force with his open hands. Berry appeared in the Christchurch District Court yesterday charged with assaulting two constables. Defence counsel James Rapley said Berry was sorry, and Judge David Holderness said Berry’s actions had been incredibly immature. The police prosecutor, Sergeant Mark Berryman, said the incident happened in Colombo Street. Berry ran up, delivered the blows, and was caught as he tried to run off…The judge agreed to discharge him without conviction on condition that he pay $500 to a charity nominated by the police. He warned Berry that treating police like that overseas would get him in serious trouble. ‘Reno still has a three strikes and you’re out policy.'”
More from the Christchurch Court News: “Defence counsel James Rapley said Berry was very sorry, and Judge David Holderness said his actions had been ‘incredibly immature’. Police prosecutor Sergeant Mark Berryman said the incident happened on Colombo Street when people were out enjoying themselves. The two constables were in full uniform, with moderately intoxicated Berry walking behind them. He ran up, delivered the blows, and was caught as he tried to run off. The policemen were offended by Berry’s behaviour. Mr Rapley said he had explained to Berry that even a blow struck in humour was still an assault. ‘He did it while affected by alcohol and good humour, said Mr Rapley. The police officers didn’t think it was funny.'”
The judge should have had the officers spank him as punishment. Of course, he probably would have liked it.
*note: these aren’t the actual cops, and this is Auckland, not Christchurch.
