By David Clarkson on The Press (paywalled)…
An Israeli visitor has been injured in an alleged assault in Christchurch in what police claim was a “hate crime” related to the situation in Gaza.
A man appeared in the Christchurch District Court on Tuesday in relation to the incident where Judge Jane McMeeken refused his bail application.
“It is clear the assault has caused physical, emotional, and financial difficulties for the complainant,” said the judge, after hearing submissions on the bail applications. The victim was punched in the mouth.
Bail hearings are subject to strict suppression rules, but Judge McMeeken granted a media request for additional reporting to be allowed in this case. However, she suppressed the accused’s name and the location of the alleged offence.
According to police, the man confronted the Israeli visitor in a public space, and yelled that he was a “child killer, a murderer, and Israeli scum”. It is alleged he punched the man before he was restrained by other members of the public.
Read the full story on The Press HERE.
