A man who assaulted a lawyer in an elevator at the Whangārei District Court and pleaded guilty can now be named.

Isaac Aydon, 36, had name suppression which lapsed on Monday, was represented by Dave Sayes and appeared via audio-visual link in the Whangārei District Court before Judge Brooke Gibson.

An argument was had in court for permanent name suppression however Judge Gibson refused the application.

“Mr Aydon has now pleaded guilty and is for sentence, consequently, the presumption of innocence does not apply,” Judge Gibson said.

Family lawyer Brintyn Smith, of Alexander Chambers in Whangārei, was on his way to court on March 9 when he was violently confronted in the courthouse lift. Emergency services later rushed him to Whangārei Hospital in a serious condition.

Smith suffered extensive bruising, fractured thyroid cartilage, a split lip that required stitches and a concussion but was able to return home that night.

He spoke with the Advocate about the impact the assault had on him and said he did not think he would be returning to the Whangārei District Court anytime soon.

An order for restorative justice was made and bail was not applied for.

Aydon was remanded in custody for sentencing in May.