Assault charge pulled as deportation looms

An assault charge was withdrawn in the Greymouth District Court this morning to enable the Immigration Department to proceed with its plans to deport an English migrant.
Judge Phillip Moran said the police could re-lay the charge if Paul Steele was not ultimately deported.
Steele, 42, was to appear on three assault charges but police prosecutor sergeant Mark Harris offered no evidence on the first two because on those occasions the complainant had driven to Steele’s home and initiated the conflict.
Mr Harris said the third charge, arising from another incident, would stand but police did not want to hinder the Immigration Department proceedings.