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A violent and unprovoked attack at a Rotorua playground over a pair of pink Crocs left a father with a broken jaw and concussion, and shattered his family’s sense of peace and security.

The victim says he now feels “hollow” after the offender, Francee Edwin Reweti Page, 51, was given what was in his opinion a “pitiful” sentence.

Page appeared in the Rotorua District Court on December 19 and was sentenced by Judge Andree Wiltens after earlier pleading guilty to a charge of injuring with intent to injure.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years’ jail. He was sentenced to 150 hours’ community work and was ordered to undergo two years of intensive supervision.

The attack happened almost a year ago, on January 7 about 12.30pm.

A man was seriously assaulted at the Volcanic Playground in Rotorua over a pair of pink Crocs. Photo / Kelly Makiha

The victim was at the Volcanic Playground at Rotorua’s Lakefront with his daughter and niece.

A police summary of facts, released to the Rotorua Daily Post, said Page’s partner approached the victim’s 6-year-old daughter and accused her of taking Page’s grandchild’s pink Crocs.

The victim intervened in support of his daughter and explained to Page’s partner that his daughter arrived at the playground wearing the pink Crocs.

The partner became enraged and raised her voice, sparking Page to hear what was happening and intervene. He raised his arms and clenched his fists before assaulting the victim by punching him three times, the summary said.

The victim fell backwards on the ground. Page continued assaulting him until a member of the public intervened.

He was hospitalised with a broken jaw, concussion and bruising and swelling to his face.

The toll on the victim

In a victim impact statement, the 49-year-old said he had to take strong pain medication for weeks and he endured long waits to see a specialist team at Waikato Hospital, which he said heightened his frustration and anxiety.

Despite his own suffering, he said his main concern was for his daughter, who was “deeply traumatised” from witnessing the ordeal.

He said in the statement that the aftermath of the assault was marked by a “relentless cascade of challenges”, extending far beyond the initial trauma.

Everyday tasks like eating, speaking, yawning and sleeping were a struggle, and the concussions and neck strain left him with severe headaches for many weeks, which he said added to his sleep deprivation.

“The emotional and psychological toll of the event on my family and me was significant, and the effects of what happened lingered, making it impossible to shake off the trauma.”

He said he underwent counselling sessions.

“My physical injuries pale in comparison to the profound impact this senseless act of violence has had on our family’s well-being. The assault has shattered our sense of peace and security, stripping us of the pleasure and joy of visiting public places without fear.”

It had eroded his family’s trust in those around them, and the “indelible mark” had fostered an “underlying deep-seated fear and eroded their trust in those around them, he said in the statement.

The medical expenses, travel to Waikato Hospital, and loss of income were estimated at $2400, but Page was not directed by the court to pay any reparations to the victim.

After the sentencing hearing, the victim told the Rotorua Daily Post he was disappointed with the court’s punishment.

He said it was said at sentencing Page had spent time this year at the Grace Foundation – a live-in drug rehabilitation facility in Auckland – and was given credit for his progress.

The victim said he was surprised Page did not get a prison or even home-detention sentence.

He said in his view 150 hours of community work was a “pitiful” sentence that was “a slap on the wrist and a complete insult to his victims”.

Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.