A man who attacked another man in a "senseless and unprovoked attack" which cost the victim an eye has been jailed.
Senior Sergeant Mark Clayton said Sione Moala was sentenced in the High Court at Auckland on Tuesday after attacking a man outside a bar in April 2016.
Moala was given the two-and-a-half year sentence after being found guilty of wounding with intent to injure and fighting in a public place.
He would not be eligible for parole, Clayton said.
Clayton said Moala had approached a man he didn't know outside a central Auckland bar and in a "senseless and unprovoked attack", left him seriously injured.
"The victim, a father of a young child, has now lost an eye and his life will never be the same again," Clayton said.
"He has been through a significant amount of trauma, both physical and emotional, as a result of this random, cowardly attack.
"This behaviour and such public place violence is unacceptable and can cause such immense harm to people and their families."
Clayton said the sentencing sent a message to people that behaviour such as Moala's had serious consequences.
He hoped Tuesday's outcome would bring some form of comfort and closure to the victim.
"We acknowledge and appreciate this has been a difficult time for the victim and his family," Clayton said.
"We also want to acknowledge the police investigative team for their hard work and dedication on this case."
Police acknowledge today’s sentencing of Sione Moala in the Auckland High Court, in relation to the wounding of man outside a bar in the central city in April 2016.
Moala was sentenced to two and a half years’ imprisonment after being found guilty of wounding with intent to injure and fighting in a public place.
He will not be eligible for parole.
Senior Sergeant Mark Clayton says the victim was approached by Moala, a man unknown to him, and in a senseless and unprovoked attack, was left with serious injuries.
These injuries were life-changing for the victim.
“The victim, a father of a young child, has now lost an eye and his life will never been the same again.
He has been through a significant amount of trauma, both physical and emotional, as a result of this random, cowardly attack,” he says.
“This behaviour and such public place violence is unacceptable and can cause such immense harm to people and their families.
Today’s sentencing sends a message to people that this behaviour has serious consequences.”
Senior Sergeant Mark Clayton says he hopes today’s outcome will be able to bring some form of comfort and closure to the victim, after a long court process.
“We acknowledge and appreciate this has been a difficult time for the victim and his family.
We also want to acknowledge the Police investigative team for their hard work and dedication on this case.”