Former soldier blames trauma from training Ukrainian recruits for taxi assault

Monday 24 November 2025 · 4 outlets · 4 reports · updated Mon 24 Nov 2025, 11:51am

In this story New Zealand Defence Force

Jack Wesley says the New Zealand Defence Force failed to provide support after he returned from training Ukrainian civilians in the UK. Wesley, who assaulted a taxi driver in Palmerston North while intoxicated, claims he has been sober since the incident.

How they headlined it

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1. RNZMon 24 Nov 2025, 6:07am

   Former soldier left 'sad, devastated and broken' after training Ukranian recruits (opens in new tab)

2. Otago Daily TimesMon 24 Nov 2025, 7:35am

   Former soldier left 'broken' after training Ukrainian recruits (opens in new tab)

3. The Post via RNZMon 24 Nov 2025, 9:48am

   Former soldier left ‘sad, devastated and broken’ after training Ukrainian recruits (opens in new tab)

4. 1News via RNZMon 24 Nov 2025, 11:51am

   Ex-soldier's 'horrendous' attack on taxi driver blamed on Ukraine trauma (opens in new tab)