Dunedin District Court

AN incident in which he made three assaults on a man with whom he had been drinking resulted in Dawson Taiaroa (50) being sentenced to 15 months’ jail when he appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday.

Taiaroa, of Dunedin, had been convicted of injuring with intent to injure — a charge he admitted.

The police summary said Taiaroa and the victim had been drinking together and were moderately intoxicated, about 12.45am on May 25.

While they were arguing over a financial matter, Taiaroa became angry and punched the victim forcibly about the head and face several times.

The victim sustained a 5cm laceration below his right eye and bruising and soreness to his head and face.

Taiaroa left the room and went upstairs but returned soon after.

He again approached the victim, who was sitting on a couch, and assaulted him similarly — punching him about the head and face several times.

After going back upstairs, Taiaroa again returned and assaulted the victim a third time — punching him forcibly about the head about three times.

In explanation, Taiaroa said the victim had owed him money and was lying to him.

Counsel Deborah Henderson said Taiaroa accepted prison would be the outcome.

Taiaroa said the victim had been taking his medication and taking some of his money. He got sick of it and assaulted him.

In mitigation he did plead guilty, she said.

A head injury in 1990 had affected Taiaroa’s cognitive functioning. Perhaps some credit could be allowed for diminished responsibility, she said.

He had had only one conviction for serious violence in the past 10 years, Mrs Henderson said.

Taiaroa had also been convicted of a Summary Offences Act assault charge from him spitting at two Corrections officers in the intervention support unit of the Otago Corrections Facility when on remand, on May 26.

Taiaroa had not been on his medication for epilepsy, Mrs Henderson said.

‘‘It has an impact on his behaviour. He says he is not like this if he is on his medication.’’

Judge Philip Connell sentenced Taiaroa to 15 months’ jail for injuring with intent, and three months’ jail (concurrent) on the Summary Offences Act assault.