From Stuff:

I didn’t touch tourist - beating accused

One of four men accused of robbing and beating a Canadian tourist in Wellington told police he saw the attack but took no part.

Benjamin Peter McPadden, 19, said he was scared of the other three who kicked and punched Jeremie Kawerninski, 26.

McPadden, Jaydon Russell Borland, 31, Jason George Gregory, 20, Mark Alexander Gage, 31, have pleaded not guilty in the High Court in Wellington to charges of kidnapping, grievous bodily harm and robbing Mr Kawerninski of his wallet, clothing, watch and rings.

Mr Kawerninski, 26, spent eight days in Lower Hutt Hospital recovering from injuries.

Sergeant James Patea read from a statement by McPadden, claiming he was forced to drive a vehicle to a secluded area where they dumped the beaten man.

“I got in the car because I would have got the shit kicked out of me if I didn’t,” McPadden said.

Detective Ben Quinn told the court Borland had told him the Canadian had brought it on himself.

“There was these sumo guys he tried to have a go at, and there was four of them. He was telling us that he was a gangster and showing us his tattoos,” Borland had said.

“We tried to get rid of him but he wouldn’t go away.”

Borland added: “He got a kicking and that was it.”

In video evidence Borland said Mr Kawerninski bought several rounds of drinks and would not leave them alone.

“I didn’t want this shit to happen. I told him many times, ‘just go away buddy’.”

He said Mr Kawerninski was “trouble”, and an “idiot” for hanging around them.

He denied touching Mr Kawerninski, but said in hindsight he wished he had.

The trial before Justice Jillian Mallon continues.