Apology from man who slapped boy | Hawkes Bay News | Local News in Hawkes Bay

Beating up a schoolboy has landed Gerald Douglas Belshaw, 37, of Woodville, in court.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Ollie Outtrim told the court that about 8.30pm on December 19, Belshaw was delivering newspapers in the Burgoyne/Amelia St area in Woodville. Also at this location was the 13-year-old victim, who was walking along with a group a friends.

"The defendant yelled at the victim, accusing him of breaking into his car several days earlier," Mr Outtrim said.

"The youth denied committing any offence and continued walking. The defendant walked up to the victim and grabbed him by the hair at the back of his head and forced him forward, before pushing him away, causing him to stumble."

The victim then continued walking with his friends and they were discussing who the defendant was. That was overheard by Belshaw, who again approached the youth and slapped him once with a newspaper and then once with an open hand. The victim, who received a red mark on the ear, then reported the incident to the police.

When spoken to, Belshaw told police he had seen the youth standing beside his car several weeks earlier on the same night it was broken into and assumed the victim was responsible.

"He stated he was simply protecting his property but accepted his behaviour was unacceptable."

Appearing before Judge Geoff Rea, Belshaw pleaded guilty to a charge of assault on a child and apologised to the victim.

"I am really sorry and I feel really stupid standing here - I overreacted," he said.

Belshaw was convicted and sentenced to 80 hours' community work.