NZer fights drunk neighbour over 'ni@@er' comment

[Tina Greco - Melbourne]

NZer fights drunk neighbour over 'ni@@er' comment
4:19PM Monday February 11, 2008


BRISBANE - A New Zealand man used a BBQ fork, knife and garden secateurs to threaten a drunken neighbour who had called him a "ni@@er", a court has been told.

Charles Philipp (Philipp) Henry, 42, was today placed on a 12- month good behaviour bond for his actions, which Brisbane District Court Judge Michael Shanahan accepted were a backlash to the racist remarks.

The court was told Henry and the neighbour had been having afternoon drinks at a home in Brisbane's bayside, on February 11 last year, when the neighbour began using racist language.

The court was told the neighbour made derogatory comments about Henry's background as a New Zealand soldier, and that he had called him a "ni@@er" on at least one occasion.

The pair began having a fist-fight, which spilled out from the front yard into the street.

The court was told the neighbour ran inside and returned with a knife, which he started swinging at Henry.

Both men then ran inside for more weapons and returned for another fight on the street.


The court was told Henry returned with a BBQ fork, a knife and a pair of garden secateurs, while his neighbour's choice of weapon was a mop.

Police arrived soon after and arrested Henry, charging him with one count of going armed so as to cause fear.

The court was told the neighbour resisted arrest and had to be subdued with capsicum spray.

He has also been charged but has indicated he will plead not guilty.

Judge Shanahan told Henry he was "silly" for getting involved in the fight, but said he accepted the neighbour was the aggressor.

- AAP