Kumar, a former Waitematā FC football player, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to injuring a rival player during a violent on-field brawl and subsequently attacking two family members, according to court documents released to the New Zealand Herald. The sentencing, handed down by Judge Retzlaff, addresses a sequence of violent incidents that began on the North Shore of Auckland.
Auckland Football Match Brawl Leads to Conviction
The sequence of events began in June of last year during a Division 3 football match between Waitematā FC and Albany United at Sunnynook Park on Auckland’s North Shore. According to the agreed summary of facts, Kumar instigated a melee between the teams after running up behind an Albany United player following the whistle at approximately 3.30pm.
Court documents state that Kumar kicked the victim’s right foot, causing him to stumble forward. After an exchange of words, Kumar pushed the victim in the chest with force. A physical altercation subsequently broke out between the two teams.
An Albany United player, speaking anonymously to the Herald last year, described the opposing side as “pretty scrappy” throughout the match. The referee ended the game early before the brawl escalated. The witness described the victim as the “smallest player on the pitch” and stated that the attacker vanished before anyone realized what had happened, calling the act cowardly.
During the melee, Kumar was pulled to the ground by another Albany player. He got up, charged the victim who was standing to the side of the fight, punched him in the jaw, and kicked him in the face while wearing his football boots. Witnesses pulled Kumar away from the victim, according to court records.
Legal Proceedings and Initial Charges
Following a 10-week police investigation, Kumar was arrested one year ago this week. He was initially charged with wounding the other player with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, an offense carrying a maximum sentence of 14 years’ imprisonment.
The victim was left bleeding and required surgery for a broken jaw, alongside taking time off work to recover, court documents state. Kumar eventually entered a guilty plea for the lesser charge of injuring with intent to injure, an offense that carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.
Waitematā president Conan McKinstry told the Herald last year that Kumar was immediately removed from the club and is not welcome back, adding that the organization fully cooperated with police. The victim did not appear in court for the sentencing, and no victim impact statement was read aloud. The judge was informed that the victim had no interest in meeting Kumar for a restorative justice conference.
Did you know?
Under New Zealand law, the charge of injuring with intent to injure carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, whereas wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm carries a maximum sentence of 14 years.
Subsequent Offense and Sentencing Details
Judge Retzlaff noted that Kumar was making steady progress toward rehabilitation—having started a stopping violence programme and applied for a discharge without conviction—when he experienced a major setback last month. While receiving a ride home from a Kingsland bar around 4am, Kumar punched a male relative in the back seat of the vehicle, according to court documents.
After the vehicle stopped, Kumar struck a female relative in the face twice and dragged her from the car by her hair. When the male relative asked why he attacked her, Kumar punched him again, continuing the assault after the man fell to the ground. Kumar fled the scene and was arrested a short distance away. He initially denied attacking his relatives, and when questioned by police about the football match, claimed he acted in self-defense.
Defense counsel Osborne stated that his client was now ashamed of his impulsive and violent behavior in both situations and had no memory of why he attacked his relatives. Osborne acknowledged that a short prison term was necessary because Kumar lacked an address for home detention. He also noted that a deportation notice had been issued against Kumar.
Judge Retzlaff sentenced Kumar to 18 months’ imprisonment. The judge declined a media request to photograph Kumar at the hearing, citing his lack of a criminal record, his relative youth, and past experiences of trauma and violence from his father.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Kumar originally charged with?
Kumar was initially charged with wounding the other player with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, before pleading guilty to a reduced charge of injuring with intent to injure.
How long is Kumar’s prison sentence?
Judge Retzlaff sentenced Kumar to 18 months’ imprisonment following his guilty plea and subsequent assault offenses involving family members.
What action did Waitematā FC take against Kumar?
According to club president Conan McKinstry, Kumar was immediately removed from Waitematā FC and barred from returning following the incident.
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