Title: Assault costs Lauaki twice ove
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Blog Entry: A signed contract for Sione Lauaki to play for Japanese club Toyota was torn up when news broke of the former All Black twice punching a man in the mouth, it was revealed in Hamilton District Monogram canvas Replica Court yesterday. Yesterday, that drunken assault at Hamilton's Coyote Bar in March had further consequences for the 29-year-old. Lauaki was fined $800 and ordered to pay his victim $500 for emotional harm when he appeared for sentence on a charge of common assault. Lauaki was also fined $400 on a separate careless driving charge, disqualified from driving for two months and ordered to pay $545 in reparation for damage he caused to a fence. Lauaki crashed on April 24, on State Highway 1, south of Huntly, when he fell asleep at the wheel. He had been drinking, but was not over the limit. Lauaki was convicted on both charges after an application for a discharge without conviction was withdrawn by defence counsel David Allan. Yesterday Mr Allan told Judge Philip Connell that the assault had severe consequences for Lauaki. The then Chiefs player had just signed a contract to play with the Japanese club when the assault occurred. However, when the story of the assault broke in the media, the club terminated the contract - before Lauaki had even appeared in court on the charge - because of the adverse publicity, Mr Allan said. While French club Clermont later signed the embattled Cartier Handbags player, the one-year contract was not nearly as lucrative. Mr Allen said the Japanese contract would have secured Lauaki and his family's future. The New Zealand Rugby Union also fined Lauaki $4000 over the assault and said it would end his contract should there be another incident. Judge Connell labelled Lauaki's actions that night at the bar as "stupid" and "wrong". Lauaki falsely accused the victim of stealing his drink. When the victim denied taking the drink, Lauaki "just decided to set upon him". He punched the victim twice in the mouth with a closed fist, leaving the victim with a cut to his lip. The judge said Lauaki clearly could not control himself when he was drinking. Roger Dubuis Watch Replica Outside the court yesterday, Lauaki said he was sorry and was glad the matter was now behind him. "I'm just looking forward to heading of to France [in July] and restarting my rugby career." * See editorial, page 6 -------------------- Other articles: http://www.welovetattoos.com/blog/view/id_3224/title_cornwall-hoping-for-dry-run-at/ http://www.gtfz.net.cn/bbs/Blog.asp?BlogUserName=windows&menu=ShowBlog&BlogID=1742
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