A police officer assaulted in Kawhia last year says he is pleased his attacker has changed his plea to guilty.
Jackie Maikuku, 21, today admitted a charge of assault with intent to obstruct Constable Perry Griffin in the execution of duty.
Maikuku last year denied charges of aggravated assault on an officer and assault with intent to injure, following the incident on January 11 2013 that left Mr Griffin badly bruised.
The case, being heard at the Hamilton District Court, has been stood down until later today and is yet to hear an agreed summary of events from Maikuku's lawyer Kerry Burroughs, reports The New Zealand Herald.
Judge David Ruth says Maikuku is likely to be sentenced today.
Mr Griffin is pleased by the change of plea, which he says will allow "the Kawhia community to move forward".
"The support shown not only to me but also to my family, through what was a quite difficult ordeal by firstly the Kawhia community, the wider police family and to a large number of people from around the country, was quite humbling to experience and has helped our family cement our ties here."
3 News
source: newshub archive
