Dunedin District Court
SENTENCES imposed by Judge Dominic Flatley in the Dunedin District Court yesterday were. —
• Brendon Kahuna Sweetnam (23), of Balclutha, Crimes Act male assaults female offence against woman with whom in relationship for about one month (summary said Sweetnam left a Nairn St address followed by the victim, words between them resulted in Sweetnam punching victim once in face; Sweetnam went on to a field, victim followed, they continued arguing, began pushing each other; Sweetnam turned away, victim pushed him in shoulder; Sweetnam turned around, took victim’s cellphone, threw it away; victim pushed him, he turned and punched her in the face a second time; victim fell to her knees, covered her face with her hands, Sweetnam kneed her in face with right knee before walking away; victim not injured as as result of the assault), Dunedin, about 1.45pm, November 3; reckless driving, and failing to stop for police vehicle following with red and blue flashing lights activated, School St, Dunedin, about 8.15pm, April 11, overall sentence 10 months’ jail (six months’ release conditions), disqualified six months. Counsel Brian Kilkelly said Sweetnam in custody since April 12, ‘‘accepts his actions were wrong . . . has expressed remorse, apologised . . . knows he has a short fuse and has to do something about it, is prepared to take the necessary steps’’. Judge noted Sweetnam previously convicted of violence.
• A Noah Giles (26), chef, of Mosgiel, injuring by unlawful act (victim, former girlfriend, arrived home intoxicated, found her belongings outside front door, realised she had been locked out; Giles finally went outside, picked her up off back steps, carried her into garden, threw her into barked area before putting her on to chair in garden, when she walked towards front door blocked her from going inside, used both hands to push her, resulting in her falling and hitting back of her head on the concrete; Giles went back inside, locked door and got into bed; landlord took victim to hospital, her injuries from incident were a cut to the back of her head, and bruising and abrasions on forearms), about 2am, May 25, nine months’ supervision (conditions included requirement to undergo nonviolence programme). Counsel Sarah SaundersonWarner said the relationship was now over, Giles not previously convicted of violence. Judge Flatley noted Giles acknowledged it was his fault the victim was hurt, also noted Giles working hard at the time and upset by what was happening between them, however, said ‘‘you left her not knowing if she was injured or not . . . you could have seriously injured her . . . at worst could have killed her . . . you need to deal with whatever issues exist for you’’.
• James Robert Sellwood (41), of Dunedin, assault on person with whom in family relationship (victim former partner; Sellwood and victim at home, argument, Sellwood tried to remove victim’s phone from her; with open palm, pushed her head backwards holding it there 510 seconds while he wrestled phone from her hands; in explanation stated he lifted victim’s head to get the phone, she had been hunched over it; victim had small amount of hair pulled out as result of the assault, her head slightly sore but was fine again after 30 minutes or so), about 8pm, May 20, 12 months’ supervision (including requirement to undergo Stopping Violence). Public defender Alan de Jager said Sellwood’s apology accepted at restorative justice, Sellwood now engaged with Otago Mental Health Support Trust and Community Alcohol and Drug Service, Sellwood ‘‘a first offender for this type of incident’’.
• Mitchell David Hastie (25), roofer, of Dunedin, drinkdriving, 217mg (squealed vehicle tyres as drove through Moray PlPrinces St intersection), about 7.35pm, August 29, 300 hours’ community work, 12 months’ intensive supervision (threemonthly judicial monitoring), disqualified 28 days (alcoholinterlock licence provisions to follow). Hastie had two previous drinkdrive convictions, one in 2011, the other in 2012.
• Uriam Iabeta (23), student, of Dunedin, drinkdriving, 499mcg (drove wrong way up oneway Hyde St; said looking for a friend who was intoxicated), about 11.50pm, September 1, fined $750, court costs $130, disqualified seven months. Iabeta not previously before the court.