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Leshana Donaldson (25) appeared yesterday in Dunedin District Court after pleading guilty to assault.
On March 25, Alert Level 4 was implemented nationwide in an attempt to contain the spread of the virus and reinforce that, supermarkets only allowed “one person per bubble” to enter at a time.
Donaldson went to Pak ‘n Save with his partner and was informed that only one of them was allowed in.
She told the security officer that she would go back to her car, but as soon as her back was turned, she ran inside.
Donaldson picked up a variety of items and began scanning them through the self-service checkout.
A supervisor approached her and reminded her again of the Covid-19 restrictions.
“Donaldson would not listen and continued to scan his articles,” court documents said.
The supervisor refused to sell him the products.
Without warning, Donaldson turned and hit the woman in the face with a bunch of bananas.
Then he yelled rudely at her.
The defendant left the store but was later arrested.
The court heard that the victim was left with a red and sore cheek for half an hour as a result of the attack.
Initially, attorney Andy Belcher argued that his client should be granted a license without conviction.
To be granted, a judge has to rule that the consequences of a conviction would outweigh the seriousness of the crime in the circumstances.
However, Judge Dominic Flatley pointed to two assaults that Donaldson had committed in 2016, for which she had been sentenced to community service.
He asked how a third conviction for violence would change the future prospects for women.
After a brief postponement, Mr. Belcher confirmed that the application would be abandoned.
Donaldson, he said, had a “rather sad and tragic history” and urged the court to impose a sentence of rehabilitation.
Judge Flatley agreed, but said there must also be a punitive aspect.
“That victim was simply following instructions and doing his job at a very difficult time.
“This type of behavior is simply unacceptable.”
Donaldson was sentenced to 12 months of intensive supervision and 100 hours of community service.
