New Zealand / Regional

Podiatrist must take anger management classes

12:37 pm on 10 February 2016

A senior podiatrist who attacked his ex-wife's partner has escaped suspension but must attend anger management classes.

Stefan Edwards, who is president of the College of Podiatric Surgeons, was found guilty of assault at the Tauranga District Court after the incident in late 2014.

The court was told that after having a few drinks Mr Edwards drove to his ex-wife's home and tooted repeatedly, before hurriedly driving off.

Her partner then drove to the home of Mr Edwards', who, without provocation, punched the man five or six times.

A brief scuffle followed but ended when the man picked up a piece of wood.

Mr Edwards later apologised and said his emotions had boiled over after an acrimonious divorce.

The Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal has censured him, but stopped short of suspending his licence, having found him remorseful and unlikely to be a danger to his patients.

The tribunal ordered him to pay its $12,208.56 bill and also complete 20 anger management sessions.