Pensioner Judith Hobson has waited almost 12 months to confront the young man who punched her in the head repeatedly at a Posie Parker “free speech” rally in Auckland.
But Hobson, who asked for her identity be made public – unlike her attacker, aged 20 at the time of the attack – says that while the assault has affected her physically, the police and judicial process was mentally “kicking me in the guts daily”.
At the Auckland District Court yesterday, the accused, whose lawyer said suffers from ADHD and autism, was convicted of assaulting the grandmother and discharged without conviction. He was also granted permanent name suppression and ordered to pay $1000 reparation to Hobson.
“I hope his parents are proud of him. This is an absolute joke, and he’s a disgrace,” Hobson told the Herald.
“I am absolutely livid that he has walked out of the court with, in my opinion, virtually no consequences whatsoever. It’s no wonder victims don’t go to court, because they become victims all over again.”
Hobson said her team would also look into the way police handled her complaint.
Source: Nana bashed at Posie Parker rally upset at punishment handed to her young attacker – NZ Herald