A South Island hairdresser who attacked his flatmate with a knife is likely to be deported. The defendant then grabbed a large kitchen knife and began swinging it at the victim, who was cut on his fingers as he tried to defend himself. Defence counsel Bryony Shackell said the defendant had picked up the knife in the first instance after feeling threatened by the victim. Although his visa was not due to expire until September, he was likely to be deported before then. He convicted Kalutharage and ordered him to perform 150 hours’ community work and pay the victim $500 reparation for emotional harm.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 21, 2026 07:40 UTC