Hamilton carer who punched high-needs child wins discharge without conviction

Open Justice multimedia journalist, Waikato·NZ Herald·23 Sep, 2026 03:00 AM5 mins to read‌Hamilton carer Sai Sandeep Balasubramanian, 26, was granted a discharge without conviction after punching a high-needs teenager twice in the side of his body. Photo / 123rfA caregiver who pushed a high-needs teen onto a couch after he grabbed his shirt, then punched him twice in the torso, told police it was just a “playful thing” he does to help cheer the boy up. It was Sai Sandeep Balasubramanian’s second confrontation with the 13-year-old that day.