A man has been sentenced to 10 months' home detention for a "callous and cowardly attack" on a dog walker with a samurai sword.
Darryn Clarke, 43, earlier pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to injure after the incident in January 2023.
During his sentencing at Manukau District Court today, the court was told that Clarke was driving his Tesla on Batty Rd in Karaka, south Auckland, when the dog walker stepped onto the road and gestured for him to slow down.
Clarke did slow down, then drove around the dog walker, who tapped the roof of his car as it passed.
Clarke then stopped the car and grabbed a replica samurai sword, which was covered by a wooden sheath.
He struck the man with a sideways swing that hit his neck and shoulder.
Darryn Clarke. Photo: RNZ / Louise Ternouth
According to the summary of facts: "The sword's sheath shattered on the initial impact; the blade was immediately exposed."
The man suffered "horrific injuries" to his ear and neck, including a large chunk of flesh and bone that was cleaved from his left shoulder.
He was knocked to the ground by the force of the strike and fell into a ditch along the roadside. Clarke then drove off.
The dog walker was unable to unlock his phone to call for help due to the amount of blood.
The court was told that the man likely only survived because his son happened to spot him while he was driving home, giving his father first aid and calling an ambulance.
Clarke's wife and two young children were in the back of the car at the time of the attack.
Judge Mina Wharepouri sentenced Clarke to 10 months' home detention, 100 hours of community service, and ordered him to pay $5000 in reparations.
He called the attack "a mindless act of violence which has had serious and far-reaching consequences".
The victim did not appear in court but members of his family submitted victim impact statements to the court.
The dog walker's sister said Clarke's "stupid road rage" had permanently impacted her brother's life, which she said would "never be the same and this will affect him every day for the rest of his life".
His injuries will have lasting effects on his ability to work as an electrician.
In her victim impact statement, the man's daughter said she still experienced panic attacks and had lost confidence since the incident.
"How is it that this person is allowed to go home and continue with his life as though nothing has happened?"
Delivering the sentence today, Judge Wharepouri told Clarke that without the victim's son's "cool head and first aid training there is no doubt you'd be facing a far more serious charge than you are today".
