By: OSABUOHIEN IMUETINYANOSA
A church court had New Zealand winger Sevu Reece fined NZ$2,000 ($1,170) after being intoxicated last year when he smashed a car into a garage at a suburban address. and intentionally damaging the car owner’s garage door after the incident on Nov. 15, 2023.
Sevu Reece action was best described as “dishonestly and without claim” which was contrary to theft, The Police later reduced the charge to a single count of wilful damage, which Reece admitted.
The 27-year-old was granted a discharge of his conviction at Christchurch District Court when appearing for sentencing on Tuesday while ordered to pay the fine for reparation and emotional harm, New Zealand media reported.
The incident occurred after Reece was asked to leave a suburban address by its occupants for being disrespectful to other house guests, police said in their summary of facts.
He got into a car parked in the driveway and crashed it into the victim’s garage, causing substantial damage to the garage and the vehicle, police added.
He then exited the vehicle and left the address on foot.
Outside the court premises on Tuesday Reece tendered due apologies to the family involved.
“Standing here today I just want to say that I’m really, really sorry for my behaviour that’s led to us being here in court today,” he told reporters, adding that he had quit drinking for over a year.
Source from a New Zealand Rugby spokesperson did unveiled that the governing body was running an “employment process” with Reece following the off-field incident and its results would be confidential.
“We are satisfied Sevu has taken full responsibility for his actions over the past year, shown accountability and made some positive changes to his lifestyle,” according the spokesperson.
Reece fortunately has escaped two convictions on two police matters, having been granted a discharge in 2018 for assaulting his girlfriend.
