Man’s violence towards girlfriend

A man has pleaded guilty to a string of violent offending, including spitting at his girlfriend, headbutting her and threatening to burn down her house.

Kelly Shane Harnish previously pleaded not guilty to assault with intent to injure, theft, threats to kill, offensive use of a telephone, male assaults female and wilful damage.

However, at a court hearing yesterday Harnish entered guilty pleas to the offending, which spanned a two week period earlier this year.

Judge Chris Sygrove said on January 22, Harnish was with his girlfriend when he asked her to hand over her phone.

The pair struggled and Harnish took the phone off her. Judge Sygrove said the defendant then spat at the victim, before headbutting her and squeezing her throat with his hands. ‘‘When you left, you took her cellphone with her,’’ the judge said. The woman was left with minor injuries.

Two days later, on January 24, Harnish called the victim a total of 136 times. During this series of phone calls Harnish abused the woman, threatened to burn her house down and also accused her of being unfaithful.

Judge Sygrove said on February 5, the pair argued again and Harnish damaged items in the victim’s home. He then kicked the woman in the chest. ‘‘She fell backwards over the coffee table and was wounded,’’ he said.

Harnish refused to leave the house and punched numerous holes in the kitchen cupboards and doors.

Lawyer Julian Hannam told the New Plymouth District Court the latest advice from the victim’s adviser was that Harnish and his partner intended to continue with their relationship. The victim was also in court to support Harnish at his appearance.

He said Harnish was willing to undergo counselling to address his anger issues.

Harnish is due to appear sentencing on September 7. for