Life Coach Sentenced for 'King-Hit' Assault in Taranaki

August 8, 2025 — A Taranaki life coach has been sentenced for a violent assault that left a golfing friend with serious injuries, in what the court described as a 'king-hit' attack. Albert James appeared before the New Plymouth District Court on Friday after being convicted of intentionally injuring his victim.

The Incident

The incident occurred in December 2024 at a bar in New Plymouth. James and a group of friends had been drinking after a day of golf. A disagreement arose over whose round of golf it was, and when a friend attempted to de-escalate the situation by offering his hand, James spat in it.

His golf buddy then struck James once in the head. Bouncers intervened, separating the two men and removing James from the bar. Instead of leaving, James returned to the bar about three minutes later and approached his victim, who was not looking in his direction. He delivered a forceful punch to the left side of the victim’s face, causing him to fall to the ground and be struck repeatedly.

The victim required hospital treatment, including seven stitches to cuts around his eye, and later underwent surgery to remove bone fragments and insert surgical mesh around the injured eye.

A Life Coach's Violent Outburst

According to James’ website, he offers courses in conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, and self-regulation. His defense counsel, Paul Keegan, stated that James was remorseful and that the incident was out of character. However, the court noted that the attack had a premeditated element, with the prosecutor, Laura Blencowe, arguing for a 22-month jail sentence as a starting point, though it was reduced to community service and supervision.

Judge Gregory Hikaka acknowledged James’ remorse and his efforts at rehabilitation, including 100 hours of community work and counseling for alcohol and temper control. However, the judge also emphasized the emotional harm caused to the victim, noting that the assault had caused a significant ripple effect in the small town.

James was sentenced to 150 hours of community service, nine months of supervision, and ordered to pay $5,000 in reparations to his victim. The judge also remarked on the irony of a life coach resorting to violence, stating that James should have used his own tools to manage emotional turmoil, and that alcohol was clearly not his friend in the situation.

Broader Implications

This case highlights the growing debate around 'coward punch' laws and the need for stricter penalties for one-punch attacks. Recent calls for faster implementation of such laws have been made in the wake of similar incidents, with victims and their families advocating for harsher sentencing to deter future violence.

While James has taken steps toward redemption, the incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a moment of anger can escalate into serious harm. It also underscores the importance of conflict resolution and emotional regulation, even for those who claim to specialize in it.