However, the judge said he found Webster guilty of assault for the second and third incidents of beard pulling. It was not clear as to which of the five incidents resulted in the removal of Mr Tilton's beard," Judge Singh said. During the trial Judge Singh threw out allegations against Webster of punching, which he said were based on "unreliable" evidence. It was just a joke, possibly one that went too far," he said of the beard pulling. Judge Singh discharged Webster without conviction but ordered him to pay $500 in reparation to each of his victims.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 02, 2017 05:26 UTC