A man left critically injured when he was stabbed in the stomach said it felt like he had been “whipped with a piece of string”. 

The victim didn’t know at that stage the extent of his critical injuries, which required emergency surgery on a puncture to his abdomen. 

The attack in central Nelson just after midnight on December 7 left the teen responsible facing a serious charge in the adult court, after he stabbed the man within an hour of his 18th birthday. 

On Monday, Chevy Manakau Ropiha pleaded guilty in the Nelson District Court to a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm – a charge which carried a maximum 14-year term in prison. 

Ropiha appeared via video link when he admitted the offending and acknowledged the reality of his situation in that he would likely remain in custody until his sentencing in June. 

The Buxton Carpark featured various lanes and alleyways, and has been a focal point for the police in recent years. It was where Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming was killed in the early hours of January 1 last year. Photo / Tracy Neal 

A large crowd of whānau and supporters was in court to support the Richmond teen at his first, brief court appearance late last year. 

They were not present in court yesterday. 

The police summary of facts said Ropiha attacked the victim moments after they had shared a vape, after the victim had calmed an escalating situation just after the pair had met. 

About 12.35am, Ropiha and two associates were in an alleyway of the Buxton Carpark, in central Nelson. 

The victim and two others left a bar on Bridge St, walked a short distance to Buxton Carpark and then to an alleyway nearby as a short-cut to Collingwood St. 

Ropiha and his mates saw the victim and his associates walking towards them. 

He and the victim didn’t know each other, but for no apparent reason, Ropiha “took exception” to one of the victim’s associates and fronted up to them, police said. 

Ropiha “demanded” a fight, but was refused. 

After that failed, Ropiha yelled out, “I’ve got a knife”, but the victim managed to calm him down. 

The victim sat down nearby and began to vape, and shared it with Ropiha when he “asked for a puff”, police said. 

The victim got up to leave through an alleyway with his friends but as he did, Ropiha “plunged a knife” into his abdomen. 

Police said he stabbed the victim with such force that it caused a 4cm entry wound and narrowly missed internal organs. 

Ropiha ran from the scene, leaving the victim in shock and aware of what had happened after one of the victim’s mates yelled he had been stabbed. 

He later told police that when the knife went into his stomach, he felt he had been whipped with string. 

Afraid for his life, he ran to the Bridge St area, where emergency services treated him and took him to hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery for the injury, described as critical. 

The Buxton Carpark, which features various lanes and alleyways, has been a focal point for the police and the city in recent years, and was where Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming was killed in the early hours of January 1 last year. 

She was struck by a vehicle while on foot patrol during New Year. Her colleague, Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay, was critically injured, and a third police officer was assessed for a concussion. 

Two members of the public were also injured. 

Tracy Neal is a Nelson-based Open Justice reporter at NZME. She was previously RNZ’s regional reporter in Nelson-Marlborough and has covered general news, including court and local government for the Nelson Mail.