Rugby player Amanaki Mafi outside the Dunedin District Court last year. Judge John Macdonald granted a discharge without conviction and previously stressed it should not be suggested that Mafi had "somehow bought [his] way out of a conviction". The defendant punched him repeatedly in the head and Timani believed he was also kicked numerous times. Judge Macdonald said documents showed there was an appreciable risk Mafi would lose his Japanese rugby contract if convicted. Mafi, who has no previous convictions, must pay Timani the $50,000 reparation within a week, Judge Macdonald ordered.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 17, 2019 01:30 UTC