New Zealand Discovery Channel team rider Hayden Roulston has been fined NZ$300 for disorderly behaviour after an incident outside a bar in Timaru, New Zealand in the early morning of October 16.
According to the New Zealand Herald, the court heard that Roulston joined in the brawl involving up to 20 people outside the Sail Bar after closing time. He was alleged to have thrown several punches at an unidentified man.
Roulston's lawyer, Jared Bell asked the judge to discharge Roulston because he feared the Discovery team would sack him over the incident. However, this brooked little sympathy from Judge Edward Ryan, who said Roulston should have been mindful of the consequences of his behaviour. "If he knew his occupational position was perilous he should have had that in his mind at the relevant time," said Judge Ryan.
However, it seems that Discovery plans to take no action against Roulston, despite warning him over an incident last year. In a Discovery Channel team statement, Roulston admitted to being part of a group numbering "between 20 or 30," but said he had been "in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"I was in Timaru catching up with my mates," Roulston said. "There was a fight that happened in the bar and then when it closed down and a group of people was outside, another tussle broke out there. While nothing serious happened - there was no fighting - there was some pushing and shoving. Honestly, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Roulston added that he was sorry for his involvement. "I deeply regret the incident and the way I acted over the weekend in Timaru which has resulted in being charged with disorderly behavior," he said. "I respect the law and accept the decision. I also want to apologize to those close to me and to all those who see me as a role model."
