John Howland Photo: RNZ / Sally Murphy
A 41-year-old man who threw a brown substance at Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee, as Christchurch marked the fifth anniversary of the February 2011 earthquake, has been remanded on bail for sentencing.
John Howland appeared in the Christchurch District Court this morning charged with assault.
His 14-year-old son Jayden Andrews-Howland died in the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Judge Jane Farish accepted Howland's guilty plea and stood him down to discuss the possibility of restorative justice, a process in which a convicted person meets his or her victim.
Howland decided he would like to meet with Mr Brownlee.
Judge Farish remanded him on bail for sentencing on 15 March on the provision that restorative justice can take place before then.
Gerry Brownlee (centre) at the service. Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
