Lifeguard 'thought she was going to die' during attack by pool patron

A man has pleaded guilty to charges relating to attacking a lifeguard at the Gore Aquatic Centre in New Zealand’s Southland in April this year.

McGregor Tume appeared before Judge Bernadette Farnan in the Gore District Court last week and pleaded guilty to charges of threatening to kill, impeding breathing, behaving threateningly and injuring with intent to injure.

He was reported to have said "I really wanted to kill you" after he released the female lifeguard from being held underwater.

A New Zealand Police summary of facts said the 44-year-old was swimming at the Gore Aquatic Centre at 9am on 18th April in a lane which had been booked.

The victim, who worked as a lifeguard, made multiple attempts to get Tume's attention to shift into another lane.

After these unsuccessful attempts, she touched Tume's head to gain his attention.

He then climbed out of the pool and then aggressively confronted the lifeguard before grabbing her and tackling her to the ground.

Tume then dragged her into the leisure pool and submerged her head under the water for approximately seven seconds using his weight to press her down.

As the victim was surprised by the attack she did not have time to hold her breath, with the summary advising “at this point the victim felt that she was going to die.”

After bystanders shouted at Tume, he lifted her out of the water, uttering "you should be glad I let you up because I really wanted to kill you."

Tume's lawyer Sonya Vidal said Tume had been offended after the lifeguard touching him to gain his attention, because her actions were culturally offensive to Māori.

Vidal said Tume had been racially abused in the past.

Judge Farnan said she would recommend a restorative justice programme be explored for the case.

The Judge also recommended a cultural report be completed.

Tume was remanded on bail to live near Oamaru for sentencing on 18th August.

Image: Gore Multisports Complex. Credit: Gore District Council/Facebook.