Proposed law aims to 'focus on the lethal nature' of coward punches – MP

National’s Matt King has witnessed first-hand the consequences of a coward punch.

A proposed new law aims to put the "spotlight" on so-called coward punches, asking for a maximum of 20 year imprisonment for deaths caused by such attacks. 

National MP Matt King told 1 NEWS his proposed law, which was pulled from the ballot this week, "fills the gap between grievous bodily harm and manslaughter".

He said a coward punch situation typically involved a person who was punched or assaulted, without warning, by a stranger. 

"And then they they succumb to the injuries either from the punch or from hitting the ground."

Mr King himself had personal experience of witnessing lethal, and non lethal 'coward punches'. 

"As a former policeman I was involved in a pub situation where a person was punched and hit the ground and died, which came under manslaughter, but was a coward punch situation.

"I've also been involved with a guy who was seriously assaulted. He didn't die."

NZ Herald reported Derek Tanner of Northland was hit from behind and knocked unconscious in February, 2017. The blow shattered his eye socket, fractured his skull and caused a bleed in his brain.

"I knew it was bad instantly when I saw him crumple to the ground," Mr King, who assisted Mr Tanner, told NZ Herald.

Mr King said the coward punch experience was traumatic and he had wanted the bill to create a "focus on the lethal nature of these types of offences". 

He said currently a coward punch would be covered under manslaughter, "by bringing in a separate charge, it covers situations where you've got people... where they've hit without warning". 

"My Bill would create a new offence of Assault Causing Death relating to a punch thrown at an unsuspecting victim who dies from injuries sustained in the attack. This offence would be easier to prove than manslaughter."

Mr King's bill asked for a 20 year maximum penalty, "which brings it under manslaughter which is life, but above grievous bodily harm which is 14 years". 

He hoped the legislation would bring about more convictions and that it could be "absolutely a deterrent". 

"A 20-year penalty indicates to the judge we take this very offense seriously."

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