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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Matt Murphy

New Zealand woman pleads guilty to assaulting group of Muslims

A woman has pleaded guilty following an alleged attack on a group of Muslims in New Zealand.

Megan Walton, 27, was charged with assault, assault using a can of alcohol as a weapon, and behaving “in an insulting manner that was likely in the circumstances to cause violence against persons”.

Video captured the moment she approached the group in Huntly, shouting "you don't have the right to be here" telling them persistently to "f*** off".

Mehpara Khan, from Auckland, reported the incident to police after she and four friends had stopped in the area on February 11.

The charge of assault with a weapon has a maximum prison sentence of five years, but was downgraded to a charge of assault under the Crimes Act which carries a maximum of one year in jail. Walton pleaded guilty to all three charges.

On appearing in court on Monday, February 13, Walton was also granted bail, which is set to be reviewed this week.

She spoke outside court following her appearance, saying she wanted to apologise to her victims for the incident.

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