By Angela Beswick
New Zealand Rugby Sevens player Declan O’Donnell has pleaded guilty to common assault at the Hamilton District Court this morning.
The 19-year-old is accused of assaulting two men in January, however he has pleaded not guilty to assault with intent to injure.
O’Donnell was caught on camera jumping into a brawl at The Outback with his brother. It is alleged the brawl started after O’Donnell’s brother Callum and a friend were ejected for being intoxicated at around 2am.
“Him and his group said they were going to get his mates and deal to us, they were going to hunt us down and kill us, stuff like that. We get that a lot so we didn't really think anything of it,” doorman supervisor Sam McDonnell told 3 News at the time.
The pair allegedly returned 10 minutes later, bringing O’Donnell and others with them.
“He proceeded to punch me in the back of the head. Then I was pummelled by three of the guys that were surrounding me, and a huge brawl erupted.”.
However O'Donnell's lawyer alleges the rugby star found his brother had been beaten up. When he asked who did it, O'Donnell claims he was taunted.
"He reacted with a single punch," his lawyer says.
O'Donnell was this morning convicted on common assault and will defend the other charges.
He has been released on bail and will reappear in court next month.
3 News
source: newshub archive
