{"id":546368,"date":"2026-07-27T14:59:27","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T14:59:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/546368\/"},"modified":"2026-07-27T14:59:27","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T14:59:27","slug":"aussie-tourists-fought-with-man-urinating-waving-genitals-in-public","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/546368\/","title":{"rendered":"Aussie tourists fought with man urinating, waving genitals in public"},"content":{"rendered":"

Two Aussie tourists took it upon themselves to get justice after seeing a man urinating and waving his genitals in front of their female friends.<\/p>\n

Nirvan Lane and Asher Ghannoum began fighting the unknown man outside a bar in Queenstown after one of the women they were travelling with took offence.<\/p>\n

But their bid for justice ended in the Queenstown District Court, with Lane pleading guilty to common assault and fighting in a public place, while Ghannoum was charged with assault with intent to injure.<\/p>\n

Judge Russell Walker said starting a fight was not a normal reaction to being offended.<\/p>\n

“They call the police. They don’t physically assault that person. It’s that simple,” he said.<\/p>\n

“The locals who live here in Queenstown are heartily sick of violence in the street after people have been drinking.”<\/p>\n

The group were partying in Queenstown on 23 July when one of the women in the group took offence to a man urinating in public right in front of them.<\/p>\n

The man then waved his genitals around, causing further offence.<\/p>\n

The court heard Lane approached the victim and, without any warning, initiated a physical confrontation by punching him. A fight ensued.<\/p>\n

Another member of the public saw the commotion and while attempting to break it up, he was punched by Lane.<\/p>\n

Ghannoum saw the fight happening and jumped in, punching the victim then kicking the victim when he was on the ground.<\/p>\n

Lawyer DeAnne Nicoloso said the two convictions for Lane will “have a punitive effect on him”.<\/p>\n

The 20-year-old is a full-time uni student studying commerce and cyber security in Sydney and working 20 hours a week at Bunnings.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Ghannoum is an electrical apprentice.<\/p>\n

“He is very remorseful.”<\/p>\n

The pair would be returning to Australia later in the week.<\/p>\n

Walker took into account the pair had no criminal history in New Zealand or Australia.<\/p>\n

Lane was fined $750 and $152 in court costs for common assault and for fighting in a public place, he was convicted and discharged.<\/p>\n

Ghannoum was fined $1250, with court costs of $250.<\/p>\n

Violence, especially involving alcohol, is not a new problem in the tourist town.<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, 26-year-old Mattheus Heimer was sentenced to nine months’ supervision after he slapped a woman and pinned her down inside the local McDonald’s while he was on a drinking bender.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, at the sentencing of Braden Jane, who assaulted a man outside an Arrowtown pub, Judge Mark Williams said there was too much alcohol-related violence in the tourist town.<\/p>\n

“There needs to be a message that violence in Queenstown will not be tolerated,” he said at the hearing.<\/p>\n

Destination Queenstown Lake W\u0101naka Tourism chief executive Mat Woods said it was “disappointing to see international visitors come into our community and act violently”.<\/p>\n

“Our hospitality sector works hard alongside Police, licensing authorities and the wider community to promote responsible behaviour and ensure the town remains a safe place for residents and visitors alike.<\/p>\n

“Queenstown Lakes is renowned as a safe and welcoming destination, hosting nearly three million visitors a year. The overall crime rate in the district remains below the national average and is declining year on year, making it an overwhelmingly safe place to live and visit.”<\/p>\n

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