Two Australian tourists who confronted a man after he allegedly urinated in public and exposed himself in front of their female friends have been fined following an altercation outside a bar in Queenstown, according to NZ Herald.
As reported by NZ Herald, Nirvan Lane and Asher Ghannoum took matters into their own hands after a man allegedly urinated in public and waved his genitals in front of women travelling with their group.
However, their attempt to intervene ultimately led them to the Queenstown District Court, where Lane pleaded guilty to common assault and fighting in a public place, while Ghannoum faced a charge of assault with intent to injure, NZ Herald reported.
According to NZ Herald, Judge Russell Walker criticised the pair's actions, stating that physical violence was not an appropriate response to offensive behaviour.
"They call the police. They don't physically assault that person. It's that simple," he said.
"The locals who live here in Queenstown are heartily sick of violence in the street after people have been drinking."
The incident occurred on 23 July, when the group was socialising in Queenstown. According to NZ Herald, one of the women travelling with Lane and Ghannoum became offended after witnessing a man urinating in public directly in front of the group.
The court heard the man then waved his genitals around, causing further offence.
As reported by NZ Herald, Lane approached the man and, without warning, punched him, triggering a physical confrontation.
During the altercation, another member of the public attempted to intervene and stop the fight but was also punched by Lane, the court heard.
According to NZ Herald, Ghannoum then joined the confrontation, punching the victim before kicking him while he was on the ground.
Lane's lawyer, DeAnne Nicoloso, told the court that the convictions would "have a punitive effect on him".
The 20-year-old is a full-time university student in Sydney studying commerce and cyber security while also working approximately 20 hours a week at Bunnings.
Meanwhile, NZ Herald reported that Ghannoum is employed as an electrical apprentice.
"He is very remorseful."
The court was told the pair planned to return to Australia later that week.
Judge Walker also took into account that neither man had any prior criminal convictions in either New Zealand or Australia, according to NZ Herald.
Lane was fined $750, along with $152 in court costs, for the common assault charge. For the offence of fighting in a public place, he was convicted and discharged.
Ghannoum was fined $1,250 and ordered to pay $250 in court costs, NZ Herald reported.
According to NZ Herald, alcohol-related violence has remained an ongoing concern in Queenstown.
Earlier this year, Mattheus Heimer, 26, was sentenced to nine months' supervision after assaulting a woman inside a local McDonald's during what the court described as a drinking binge.
In another separate case, Braden Jane was sentenced after assaulting a man outside a pub in Arrowtown.
During that hearing, Judge Mark Williams commented on the growing issue of alcohol-fuelled violence in the region.
"There needs to be a message that violence in Queenstown will not be tolerated," he said at the hearing.
Responding to the latest incident, Destination Queenstown Lake Wānaka Tourism Chief Executive Mat Woods described the behaviour as unacceptable.
"It was disappointing to see international visitors come into our community and act violently."
"Our hospitality sector works hard alongside Police, licensing authorities and the wider community to promote responsible behaviour and ensure the town remains a safe place for residents and visitors alike.
"Queenstown Lakes is renowned as a safe and welcoming destination, hosting nearly three million visitors a year. The overall crime rate in the district remains below the national average and is declining year on year, making it an overwhelmingly safe place to live and visit."