Migrant Worker Dara Singh Avoids Conviction After Street Assault

A migrant worker has been granted a discharge without conviction after attacking a bakehouse chef outside a New Plymouth restaurant earlier this year, the New Zealand Herald reports.

Indian national Dara Singh, 31, reportedly pushed, kicked, and punched the victim in a series of assaults on June 27, which ended with Singh attempting to drag the victim away after he fell and suffered a significant concussion.

The New Plymouth District Court heard Singh, a delivery driver, had been drinking at Spice Aroma Restaurant before leaving with a friend around 9pm. The two began arguing with the victim, who was closing a neighbouring business at the time.

According to court details reported by the New Zealand Herald, Singh approached the victim, grabbed him by the arms, and pushed him towards the restaurant. The victim tried to pull away and run across the road but was chased and assaulted further with punches, kicks, and slaps. He tripped and hit the back of his head while trying to escape, and Singh attempted to drag him down a nearby driveway before being interrupted by a member of the public.

The victim, a Fijian of Indian descent, suffered a significant concussion, multiple bumps and bruises, and a cut lip. He also incurred financial losses, having to take time off work and hire a professional baker to cover for him.

When questioned by police, Singh claimed he was intoxicated and said the victim had made a racial remark, while the victim said Singh had made racial comments.

Judge Stephen Harrop described the assault as a persistent attack that could have been fatal. He said the attempt to drag the victim down the driveway, interrupted only by a bystander, demonstrated the potential severity of the incident.

Singh faced a representative charge of common assault and applied for a discharge without conviction, which police did not oppose. In considering the application, Judge Harrop took into account Singh’s guilty plea, previous good character, genuine remorse, attendance at a restorative justice meeting with the victim, abstinence from alcohol since the incident, and offer to pay reparation.

Singh has been in New Zealand for two years on a work visa set to expire in November next year. The judge noted that a conviction could have serious consequences for Singh and his family, including his unwell mother in India, whom he financially supports.

In light of these mitigating factors, Judge Harrop granted the discharge without conviction but ordered Singh to pay $1,000 in emotional harm reparation to the victim, Herald reported.

The New Zealand Herald reports that Singh’s friend, who was involved in the incident, has also been charged but has yet to enter a plea.