Tony Veitch has pleaded guilty today to the assault on Kristin Dunne-Powell, he was sentenced to nine months supervision, 300 hours of community service and a $10,000 fine.
Campbell Live has the interview with both of the parties in a case which has gripped New Zealand in the past year.
Ms Dunne-Powells seems to have endured a form of trial herself since having her back broken by a kick from Veitch.
But throughout a period where she has been followed, written about and even implicitly held responsible for the attack itself, she waited for the real trial and said nothing.
So, what was it like for her to finally hear Veitch say that one word in court: guilty.
“I wish that had happened before the last ten months, which have been excruciating,” she said.
The injuries she sustained from the attack left were “really painful and immobilising”.
She could only walk a distance of about 50 metres without a wheelchair – the use of which allowed her to enjoy time in the park and visits to Subway when pushed by her father.
After Veitch’s attack Ms Dunne-Powell says she told the hospital she sought treatment at that she had “fallen down the stairs” as she thought she would receive help quicker for that reason.
But, what kept Miss Dunne-Powell in a seemingly abusive relationship – was she in love with Veitch?
“Being in a situation of domestic violence you feel guilt, blame, love and fear,” she said.
“It is like being ensnared in a spiders web – you can’t see the woods for the trees.”
Ms Dunne-Powell denies that she took Veitch’s money to remain silent and then talk.
In the period after their agreement she says many journalists approached her and Veitch for their story.
In one particular instance she received a call from Veitch while catching the ferry to Waiheke.
He told her a journalist was asking questions about the incident and begged her to keep quiet.
The payment made by Veitch to Ms Dunne-Powell were for loss of income and her rehabilitation, she said.
“I made no ACC claim for loss of earnings.”
In coming forward she says she was giving Veitch the opportunity to “do the right thing”.
“I did not deserve what you did to me,” she said.
When asked whether she had forgiven Veitch, Ms Dunne-Powell said:
“I think it is for the people of New Zealand to make a judgement.”
She claims that Veitch did not want to go to depositions as the court would have heard her side of the story.
Even after all that has gone past in the last year, Ms Dunne-Powell says she is not convinced Veitch understands what he has done.
“I think his remorse has more to do with what has happened to him in his life.”
Campbell Live began Veitch’s interview by asking him why he had pleaded guilty.
“The description of events that were made in court were accurate and it would save an incredible amount of angst for both parties,” he said.
But had the former TVNZ sports broadcaster pleaded guilty because he believed he was guilty or because he had accepted a deal?
“It is up to New Zealanders to decide whether I have done the right thing,” said Veitch.
He says that he had written his original press conference, admitting that he had kicked Ms Dunne-Powell in the back.
“You [John Campbell] know what it is like to front up and do live television… it was more nerve-wracking than that,” he said.
“I hate myself for what I did. I ask why I let myself get to that point.”
In her summing up Judge Jan Doogue said Veitch had been the author of his own misfortune – did he agree with that statement?
“Correct,” he replied.
“If I had been allowed to walk away from the situation.”
Although he agreed that nothing could justify what he had done, and that there is no justification for a man hitting a woman, Veitch was adamant that he had done all he could to make up for his actions.
“You’re a journalist John. I ask you: What more could I have done – I have had counselling and paid compensation.”
Throughout this gripping case Tony Veitch has managed to polarise New Zealand opinion.
Does he deserve our sympathy?
“No – all I want is to get the facts out there,” he said.
Veitch blames the national media for reporting misleading stories about the case.
He cited the New Zealand Herald as saying he threw Ms Dunne-Powell down the stairs as one of the perpetrators, along with RadioLIVE’s Willie Jackson who said Veitch “booted her in the head”.
“How did that story get on the front pages of a national newspaper,” he said.
So, what does the future hold for Tony Veitch.
“I hope I can get back to what I love,” he said.
“I hope there is a lot of New Zealanders who say: lets give the bloke a chance.”