Oamaru District Court

AN Oamaru man who left a woman with a bloody nose after he punched her remains friends with the victim, the Oamaru District Court heard yesterday.

Ivan Leslie Short (53) appeared for sentencing before Judge Joanna Maze, having earlier pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting a female.

About 5.10pm on November 28, Short and the 30yearold victim were in a vehicle travelling to the woman’s address after he had agreed to drop her at home.

When the pair arrived at the house an argument broke out and Short became angry about a comment the woman made.

He lashed out and punched the woman once in the face, leaving her with a bleeding nose. Short then left the address. When police spoke to Short he denied punching the woman and insisted he instead grabbed her by the scruff of the neck, raised her off the ground and threw her against a fence.

He said he was angry about the comment the victim made to him, which caused him to hit her.

The nature of the comment was not disclosed in the police summary of facts.

Short’s attorney Michael de Buyzer said his client ‘‘snapped’’ in a moment of anger.

He was ordered to appear if called on within six months and pay $300 in reparation.

Short also had his fines suspended in lieu of six hours’ voluntary work.