Defendant’s transition from client to helper

Time spent at a retreat for people in need of support helped a Taranaki man turn his life around so much that he was able to help others, a court has been told.

John Patrick Hinga had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of male assaults female following an incident on February 11 at Pa¯tea that left his then partner with a cut forehead, carpet burns on her head and bruising on her arms and knees.

Grief after losing three family members contributed to Hinga’s actions, his lawyer Kelly Marriner told the Ha¯wera District Court at the 50-year-old’s sentencing hearing on Wednesday.

Hinga had first gone into a bedroom where he told the woman to shut her mouth and struck her across the face with a hat, a police summary of facts said. After leaving for a short time, he returned and became embroiled in an argument with the victim, who by then was crying. ‘‘He grabbed the victim’s upper arms with both his hands and pushed her backwards through the kitchen door into the lounge.’’

Hinga’s actions caused her to fall over backwards, hitting her forehead on a cabinet.

Then he grabbed her arms and struck her on one ear.

Marriner said Hinga had lost three family members in a year – his mother, then his son and also his father. ‘‘The passing of his son had the most impact on him, it took him over the edge and he was not coping,’’ she said.

Hinga had since spent some time at the Taranaki Retreat, which was set up by former Taranaki Cathedral dean Jamie Allen and his wife Suzy.

‘‘He has engaged with them in a dramatic fashion,’’ Marriner said. ‘‘He went there seeking support and he has turned himself around and to the point he is now helping others.’’

Hinga was also involved with a documentary about the retreat at Omata, near New Plymouth.

‘‘What stops me from sending you to jail is the fact you seem to have turned a corner,’’ Judge Jim Large said. ‘‘You may well have had three dreadful experiences of grief over the last 12 months but that doesn’t in any way justify your behaviour towards this person.

‘‘I’m told that you are involved with this retreat to the point where you will benefit but also that they will benefit from your involvement with them. You will be able to speak with some experience to other people having difficulties.’’

The victim had indicated she wished Hinga well in her victim impact statement, he said.

He sentenced Hinga to two months’ community detention with a 7pm-7am curfew, and 12 months’ intensive supervision.