A 45-YEAR-OLD man who served as head coach at Clogher Valley Rugby Club this season has admitted assaulting his partner after an end-of-season party.

Hemi Taukiri (45), of Main Street, Fivemiletown, was charged with unlawfully assaulting his victim on April 7, 2018.

Appearing before Dungannon Magistrates Court last week, Taukiri entered a guilty plea to the charge.

The court heard that, on April 7, the defendant and his partner had argued at home after earlier attending an end-of-season rugby party.

Taukiri shouted at his victim and pulled her by her clothing into the house, before punching her to the face.

He then hurled a number of her belongings at her, the court heard.

As the facts were being read out, district judge John Meehan called a halt to proceedings and observed that the case would require the preparation of pre-sentence reports.

But the defendant’s solicitor urged the judge to proceed with the matter in order to allow his client to return to his native New Zealand, adding that his tickets were already booked.

However, Mr. Meehan refused this request and adjourned matters until Friday, April 27.

Taukiri served as Clogher Valley’s head coach for the 2017/18 season, which has just ended.