Man jailed for punching partner in head

A man has been jailed for the violent bashing of his childhood sweetheart.

This year, King Hamuera Wiki turned up unannounced at his partner’s home twice and on the second visit, punched her in the head five times.

The New Plymouth District Court heard how Wiki and the victim were ‘‘childhood sweethearts’’ after first getting together in their early teens.

The couple have a six-year-old child.

But Wiki’s lawyer Nathan Bourke said the relationship had been a ‘‘fraught’’ one and the defendant’s alcohol and drug use was a major factor in his abuse of her.

‘‘I think he scores it a 10 out of 10 as a problem in his life,’’ Bourke said.

The 23-year-old also had previous convictions for violence against the same woman, including in 2014 when he was sentenced to intensive supervision.

Yesterday, Wiki appeared for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to two breaches of a protection order and assault with intent to injure.

Judge Chris Sygrove said the first protection order breach took place on January 12 when a drunk Wiki turned up at the victim’s house late at night.

He knocked, and kicked, on the door until the victim answered and then he refused to leave.

While on bail for that charge, Wiki went to the victim’s address on June 10 where he pushed her over and sat on top of her, before punching her in the head five times.

Judge Sygrove said she was left with a bruised face, blurred vision and a sore head.

He said all the victim wanted was for Wiki to get help.

‘‘She feels constantly scared and unsafe because your behaviour is unpredictable,’’ he said.

While Wiki’s probation report also highlighted his use of alcohol, cannabis and methamphetamine as problematic, the judge said it was no excuse for his violence.

Bourke sought a jail term of between nine months to one year for Wiki’s offending but Sergeant Lewis Sutton advocated for two years’ imprisonment.

Sutton said the blows to the victim’s head, her vulnerability and the serious injuries she suffered were aggravating factors in the offending.

He said Wiki was given a chance to address his anger and substance abuse through his previous intensive supervision sentence.

‘‘He has been given tools to deal with his anger issues.

‘‘His actions show he has not taken advantage of those tools,’’ Sutton said.

Wiki was jailed for 18 months.