19 Feb 2014

Guilty plea after punching death

12:38 pm on 19 February 2014

A naval rating has admitted causing the death of a man after a single punch in an altercation in downtown Auckland.

At the High Court in Auckland on Wednesday, Grenville McFarland pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Tarun Asthana in November last year.

Mr Asthana was punched once, fell to the ground and hit his head on the pavement. The 25-year-old was taken to hospital and placed on life support, but died two days later.

The Defence Force says McFarland remains on duty but has been removed from training and is currently assigned to an administrative position at the Devonport Naval Base.

No decision has been made concerning his future in the Navy.