Ad
Thursday, October 30, 2025

NZ Scaffolder pleads guilty to savage attack on tourist

ADVERTISEMENT

A North Island man who kicked an unconscious German tourist in the head then stole his wallet was remanded in custody when he appeared in the Queenstown District Court yesterday.

Mathew Shane Armitage, 21, scaffolder, of Mt Maunganui, appeared before Judge Kevin Phillips charged with injuring with intent to injure Torben Freitag on December 11 and stealing his wallet.

Mr Freitag, a 24-year-old schoolteacher, was on holiday in Queenstown when he was attacked about 2.45am. Lawyer Russell Checketts entered guilty pleas to the two charges on behalf of his client and guilty pleas to four separate offences.

Armitage also admitted escaping police custody and possession of ecstasy in Mt Maunganui on New Year’s Eve, intentional damage in Tauranga on December 22 and breaching community work on December 18, in Tauranga.

Sergeant Ian Collin said Armitage and an associate – co-accused scaffolder Adam John Ferrari, 23, of Mt Maunganui – were intox-icated when they approached Mr Freitag.

The tourist and a member of the public walked away from the pair, but they followed the German man along Shotover St.

Mr Collin said the accused made changes to their appearance, walked up behind Freitag, and Armitage’s associate punched the tourist in the head, knocking him unconscious. Armitage kicked Mr Freitag in the head three or four times while he lay unconscious, the court was told.

The German man was bruised, suffered abrasions and had to wear a neck brace after the attack.

The defendants continued drinking in Queenstown, using stolen money to pay for alcohol.

Armitage told police he assaulted the victim because he believed Mr Freitag had slapped him in the face, the court was told.

Judge Phillips remanded Armitage in custody until sentencing takes place on March 21.

Via: www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/

ADVERTISEMENT

Popular Categories

Latest news

Staht secures largest ever distribution deal with Leach’s

One of the UK’s leading testing technology firms, Staht, has announced its largest ever distribution agreement after joining forces with Leach’s. The partnership will expand...

Avontus to host free webinars on digital scaffold management this November

Avontus Software has announced a series of free, live webinars in November designed to help contractors overcome the everyday challenges of tracking and managing...

Scaff25 announces global line-up of industry leaders for Sydney conference

The Scaffolding Association Australia (SAA) has revealed an impressive line-up of international speakers for its upcoming Scaff25 Annual Conference & Awards Night, set to...

Demolition firm issues statement following Manchester building and scaffolding collapse

Manchester-based demolition contractor P.P. O’Connor has released an official statement following Friday’s partial collapse of a building surrounded by scaffolding in the city centre. The...

Building and scaffolding partially collapses in Manchester city centre

A building in Manchester city centre has partially collapsed during demolition work, with scaffolding and debris seen falling into the nearby River Irwell. Emergency services...

Benchmark Scaffolding wins Silver at national awards

Benchmark Scaffolding has been recognised with the Silver Award in the Specialist Contractor of the Year category at the 2025 National Building and Construction...

Construction leaders unite against government plan to shorten apprenticeships

More than 20 construction organisations, including the NASC, have signed an open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer warning that plans to cut apprenticeships to eight months risk undermining skills, safety, and confidence in training.

HSE launches major construction site safety inspections in Manchester

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is carrying out a series of unannounced inspections at construction sites across Manchester city centre this week. Twelve inspectors...

JR Scaffold honoured with Ministry of Defence Silver Award

Paisley-based JR Scaffold has been recognised among a select group of leading Scottish businesses to receive the prestigious Silver Award from the Ministry of...

Brogan Group acquires Sunbelt Rentals UK hoist division

Brogan Group has announced the acquisition of Sunbelt Rentals UK’s hoist division in a deal that significantly expands its operations and fleet across the...

Latest news

ADVERTISEMENT

The magazine

Issue 27 | Past issues >>

Popular

Building and scaffolding partially collapses in Manchester city centre

A building in Manchester city centre has partially collapsed...

Demolition firm issues statement following Manchester building and scaffolding collapse

Manchester-based demolition contractor P.P. O’Connor has released an official...

ScaffChamp 2025: Teams Gather in Vilnius for Opening Day

The international scaffolding competition ScaffChamp 2025 has officially begun,...

Scaff25 announces global line-up of industry leaders for Sydney conference

The Scaffolding Association Australia (SAA) has revealed an impressive...

Benchmark Scaffolding wins Silver at national awards

Benchmark Scaffolding has been recognised with the Silver Award...

Related articles

Scaffolder’s Epic Munro Challenge Captured in BBC Documentary

Scotland — A Scottish scaffolder has captured national attention after the BBC aired a documentary following his extraordinary eight-year mission to descend all 282 of Scotland’s Munros — with his mountain bike. Sean Green,...
ADVERTISEMENTS

Latest topics

House-building recovery delayed until 2029, industry warns

The Construction Products Association warns UK house-building will not recover to pre-pandemic levels until 2029 or 2030, urging government support for first-time buyers to prevent further insolvencies and job losses.

Staht secures largest ever distribution deal with Leach’s

One of the UK’s leading testing technology firms, Staht,...

Avontus to host free webinars on digital scaffold management this November

Avontus Software has announced a series of free, live...

Scaff25 announces global line-up of industry leaders for Sydney conference

The Scaffolding Association Australia (SAA) has revealed an impressive...
ADVERTISEMENTS