A soldier stands accused of headbutting and threatening to kill a higher-ranking individual following a controversial kiss that led to a late-night altercation after a cocktail party at Waiouru Military Camp.
In a message sent months after the mid-2024 kiss, the soldier questioned the senior with, “Bro, you want to explain getting with my misses?”
During the court martial, it was revealed that both the senior soldier and the partner of the accused soldier, who is also in the military, were involved in a kiss after a function, with each claiming the other initiated it.
The accused soldier had messaged the senior, who replied that he did not wish to become involved in others’ relationship issues.
The soldier is now on trial in a court martial for an incident on the night of December 6, 2024, where he allegedly confronted the senior.
The identities and details of those involved are temporarily suppressed.
The accused also faces allegations of assaulting and threatening others who intervened, though the defense argues there were no threats or headbutting, and any physical contact was in self-defense.
Defense lawyer Deborah Davies stated that the accused soldier was unaware of the senior’s rank as everyone was dressed in civilian clothing at the cocktail event.
“There are two sides to every story,” Davies stated in her brief opening remarks.
The hearing commenced at Linton Military Camp, near Palmerston North, on Monday, overseen by Judge Gerard Winter and a military panel who will determine the verdict.
The soldier has pleaded not guilty to six charges, which include using violence against a superior and making threats to kill.
On the night in question, the senior and his partner, who is also a soldier, were heading home after the cocktail party when the accused confronted them.
The senior testified that a headbutt left him with slight bruising on his eyebrow and believed it was intended to provoke a fight rather than cause harm.
“He was yelling at me—obviously very aggressive, and confronted me,” the senior recounted, adding that the accused threatened to kill him with aggressive language, including “I will f…… kill you, mate.”
The senior dismissed suggestions from Davies that he fabricated the headbutt and threats against him.
He also denied claims that the accused had seen him and his partner in a compromising situation shortly before the incident and that he was upset about losing face among colleagues.
During cross-examination about the mid-2024 kiss, Davies asked if the accused’s partner deserved to be kissed without her consent, to which the senior replied, “She is not entitled to be kissed without her consent.”
The court also heard from another soldier who attempted to separate the arguing men. He reported hearing threats from the accused and claimed he was struck or pushed in the throat and warned that he was now on the accused’s list and should watch out.
However, he admitted having difficulty recalling certain details of the encounter.
Three senior military members will deliver their verdicts during the week-long hearing.
