An aspiring dentist who headbutted a man in a bar — causing severe oral injuries — has avoided a conviction. Judge Josephine Bouchier accepted Sorensen was genuinely remorseful and noted the array of references he had from senior members of the university's dental faculty, before granting the discharge without conviction. He said Sorensen was a man of "very high moral and ethical principles" and had shown remarkable leadership qualities. The defendant would "rise to a position of leadership in the New Zealand dental health sector", Prof Broughton predicted. Judge Bouchier granted the discharge without conviction on the proviso the defendant pay $2000 to the victim.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 26, 2021 15:33 UTC