It's not OK to hit someone. EVER

[Bren]

This guy has got it so right!

It's not OK to hit someone.
Here's what I think. If you assault a woman by kicking her on the ground until her back breaks, the question isn't whether you lose your job. The question is how long you spend in jail.
Let's see. Man kicks woman on floor. Four broken vertebrae, four months in a wheelchair. Assault. Why don't we start with grievous bodily harm and work down?

Full editorial here!

[Drew]

Sums it up, assult is assult.

I am one of the few who dont see domestic violence as black and white though.

[YellowDog]

The injuries sound quite extreme and horrific. We cannot know or understand the circumstances that lead what happened. Maybe the lady accepts some of the blame and that their may have been an element of accidental injury.

The fact that the guy accepts that what he did was wrong and has under gone councelling is a big plus for him. This is now past history and noone elses business other than their own. The Police cannot bring charges unless she makes a complaint.

I don't think we should be so quick to judge other peoples personal relationships.

[riffer]

The fact that the guy accepts that what he did was wrong and has under gone councelling is a big plus for him. This is now past history and noone elses business other than their own. The Police cannot bring charges unless she makes a complaint.

I don't think we should be so quick to judge other peoples personal relationships.

Really? Do you honestly think he only ever beat her once? Please explain exactly how you could accidentally break your back in four places.

[trumpy]

......The Police cannot bring charges unless she makes a complaint....

Not so. If there is sufficient evidence that a crime has been committed the Police can, and often do, bring their own charges.

[Blackbird]

Well I'm sorry but I DO see violence as pretty much black and white, particularly in this context. Using violence to protect yourself or your loved ones in the case of home invasions, unprovoked assault in the street etc may be the only recourse but surely there is ALWAYS a better way than domestic violence, no matter how much the provocation. Just walking away from it until you go off the boil for starters.

I really like Veitch as a presenter but in all honesty, I'll never view him in the same light again.

[Biggles2000]

I think the Crown law office and the Police are not doing their jobs. He should be in Jail waiting for a tryal date. One law for the poor and another for the rich and (in)famous. Shame on his employer and shame on the good people of New Zealand for letting this abomination get this far.

[Drew]

Well I'm sorry but I DO see violence as pretty much black and white, particularly in this context. Using violence to protect yourself or your loved ones in the case of home invasions, unprovoked assault in the street etc may be the only recourse but surely there is ALWAYS a better way than domestic violence, no matter how much the provocation. Just walking away from it until you go off the boil for starters.

I really like Veitch as a presenter but in all honesty, I'll never view him in the same light again.

I never said it's ok, just not as clear cut as what's made out sometimes.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I will pass that message on to my martial arts instructors. thanks for the tip.

[dino3310]

I think the Crown law office and the Police are not doing their jobs. He should be in Jail waiting for a tryal date. One law for the poor and another for the rich and (in)famous. Shame on his employer and shame on the good people of New Zealand for letting this abomination get this far.

agreed

[HenryDorsetCase]

The injuries sound quite extreme and horrific. We cannot know or understand the circumstances that lead what happened. Maybe the lady accepts some of the blame and that their may have been an element of accidental injury.

The fact that the guy accepts that what he did was wrong and has under gone councelling is a big plus for him. This is now past history and noone elses business other than their own. The Police cannot bring charges unless she makes a complaint.

I don't think we should be so quick to judge other peoples personal relationships.

wrong on three counts sorry:

in cases of domestic vilence, the Pleece can lay a complaint even if the (usually female) person who has been assaulted does not.

a cynic might think that he underwent counselling and such purely at the request of his PR flunkies. when this broke earlier this week my first comment was "watch the PR machines spin into action now". and they have. a bit of critical thought goes a long way when dealing with this (media hype) stuff.

as for judging other peoples personal relationships: getting someone down on the ground and kicking them till their back is broken in the context of domestic vilence? that is wrong.

this level of vlience could be justified (for example if the person who was having their back broken had invaded your home, threatened your personal safety, or assaulted or attempted to assault you or your loved ones) but none of that seems to be a factor here.

and as a final comment: Ive always thought that guy Veitch was a cunt. I am pleased my instincts were right on.

[Flatcap]

Shame on his employer and shame on the good people of New Zealand for letting this abomination get this far.

Why shame on his employer? He hasn't been convicted of anything (yet) so what are they supposed to do? If they fire him purely because they don't like what he has done they expose themselves to all sorts of employment law issues. Regardless of how abhorrent the act, due process has to be followed

[avgas]

Well I'm sorry but I DO see violence as pretty much black and white

That would be the newspaper you read it from.
Sorry but im not willing to point fingers just by what "was written in a tabloid".
Papers, magazines, news media need hard hitting articles that allow the public to point fingers.

I have been in situation in the country where "what women says is now law".
I have also lived with a person who has had similar injuries.
I'm not saying i condone what has gone down, all im saying is the facts dont line up.......and when they don't line up someone is lying.

Mr Veitch looked absolutely shattered when he made that statement. I truly hope he maintains the will to live - but i have my doubts.

That i would not wish on anyone - but i understand how hard life can be sometimes. Sometimes stepping off seems the only solution.

This story seems to screams blackmail to me.

[Blackbird]

That would be the newspaper you read it from.
Sorry but im not willing to point fingers just by what "was written in a tabloid".

Ummm... I don't trust any tabloid in the slightest. All I'm saying that in the case of domestic violence, using force unless protecting yourself is unacceptable. That's just my personal choice, but it also happens to be the law. I'm not being sanctimonious, that's simply a personal choice on how I want to live my life; irrespective of whatever the true facts are in the Veitch case.

[ynot slow]

He paid hush money/compensation,so presumably the only ones knowing about the assault were the two involved,also how does the money Veitch paid to the victim effect her ACC claims,as I thought you had to say if you recieved any money from income,investments etc,this could come under "investment"(stupid I know).Asuming he paid hush money then wouldn't he be entitled to it being returned to him.I sure as hell don't think he would blab to the media.

Also how the hell did she manage to be assaulted in his bedroon,she was there for dinner/talk about the relationship,you would assume that would take place in the lounge or dining area would you not?

Not for once am I suggesting he is innocent at all,but the truth needs to come out.

And I like his I have no excuse blah,blah,blah, crap then says because of my jobs and long hours blah blah blah crap,he wanted the glory and $$$ for doing the job,tough shit.No excuse eh,sounds like a few there.