Man guilty of assault for spilling drink on Zuma

South African President Jacob Zuma places his ballot in the box during South Africa's municipal elections in Nkandla, some 240 km (149 miles) north of Durban, May 18, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

A South African man was found guilty of assault on Wednesday for spilling a whisky and water drink near President Jacob Zuma at the country's premier horse race last year, local media reported.

Charges were laid against Daryl Peense, a betting agent, after an incident at the Durban July horse race a year ago in which he allegedly spilled his drink over Zuma from a balcony.

Peense was found guilty of assault on Wednesday and sentencing has been postponed to September 7, SAPA news agency reported, citing a National Prosecution Authority spokeswoman.

His attorney told the court earlier that Peense was drunk at the time and only a small quantity of whisky was spilled from his glass. He had no intention of injuring the president.

One of Zuma's bodyguards told the court in March that he saw Peense pour a drink from the balcony over Zuma's group at the horse race meeting.