Man’s jaw broken in two places for touching car

Monday, 2 March 2026

A 22-year-old man, in NZ on a working visa, told police he had punched, and broken the jaw of another man after becoming angry when his car was touched.

The assault, on a pathway between the Bullock and Ponderosa bars on Sophia St, Timaru, left the victim with a jaw broken in two places, and requiring surgery in Christchurch Hospital.

“In the week after the assault, the victim was barely able to speak, and for the six weeks after he was unable to eat solid foods,” the summary of facts presented in the Timaru District Court said.

Atunaisa Tuituu Folau pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a charge of wounding with intent to injure with reckless disregard, with the summary stating his anger was because his car was still on finance, and he did not want it to be damaged.

The victim, and four colleagues, were walking through the car park to the Bullock Bar on December 6 when the incident occurred.

The summary said Folau drove into the car park where they were standing.

“He tooted his horn as he came into the car park, causing a bewildered reaction from the group who were standing by the driveway.”

Folau turned left towards where the victim and his colleagues were walking, tooting his horn.

“The victim was out of the path of the vehicle.”

Because of the tooting, the victim and a colleague attempted to open a door on the defendant’s car as it drove past them.

“The defendant stopped his motor vehicle and got out of his car.”

The summary said Folau, with his pace increasing, approached the victim, and punched him in the right side of his jaw.

“The defendant’s whole upper body moved in the direction of the punch,” the summary said.

“The victim was standing facing the defendant with his hands by his side when he was punched.

“The victim remained standing after the first punch, and the defendant punched him again in the face using a closed fist from his left hand.

“The defendant returned to his car and drove off.”

Folau’s lawyer, Matthew Bonniface, asked Judge Campbell Savage to not enter a conviction as his client would be seeking a discharge without conviction, “largely on immigration basis”.

Judge Savage did not enter a conviction and remanded Folau on bail to June 24 for sentencing. He also referred Folau to restorative justice.