From Stuff.co.nz:

Unprovoked, racially motivated attacks brings jail

A West Coast man who beat two brothers in an unprovoked, racially motivated attack has been jailed for one year in Greymouth District Court.

Cody Allyn Robinson , 20, of Kumara Junction, approached a man in the Greymouth town centre, the court was told.

Telling him “I don’t like niggers”, he punched the man three times, then knocked down the victim’s 14-year-old brother.

Robinson then punched boy the several times while he lay on the ground.

Later, on a service station forecourt, Robinson tripped a man, kicking him in the face while he was down.

The man’s jaw was fractured in two places as a result.

Judge Stephen Erber told Robinson yesterday: “He did not know you … had never met you… this was a wanton display of violence with racist overtones.”

Citing a three-year history of anti-social behaviour, the judge said: “The fact of the matter, Mr Robinson is that you have run out of racing room.

“You have come to the end of the road and a prison sentence is richly deserved.”

Lawyer Richard Bodle had submitted that Robinson was easily led, was so drunk on the night of the offending he could not remember it, and was, to some extent, taking the rap for friends who had egged him on.

Judge Erber said he had doubts about the memory loss and suggested it was a convenient way for Robinson to avoid responsibility for his actions.