‘Obsessed’ lover shatters pregnant partner’s ankle

AN ‘‘OBSESSIVE’’ and ‘‘jealous’’ boyfriend put his pregnant partner in a choke-hold and shattered her ankle during two vicious attacks.

Waata Chaz Peita, 27, pushed Maria Matthews to the ground just after midnight on October 24 last year, then fell on her, driving his knee into her shin and ankle. Her ankle broke in three places. Matthews managed to crawl to her bedroom but at 8am called a cousin to take her to hospital. She needed surgery to pin the ankle and was left with a limp.

The pair had fought over Matthews giving Peita his car keys.

In January this year Peita then accused Matthews of sleeping with her cousin while she was six months pregnant.

He grabbed her round the neck and applied a choke-hold then released her, but then applied further strangle holds until she lost consciousness.

When she came to, she was able to run from the house while he was distracted.

Matthews was too scared to tell police until the next day.

In Wellington District Court yesterday, Judge Denys Barry said that while Peita showed genuine remorse for what happened, there had been potential for a greater tragedy. ‘‘It’s an obsessive and cloying jealousy,’’ he told Peita.

He issued a protection order to prevent Peita further contact with Matthews.

Peita had pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with disregard for her safety and assault.

The judge jailed him for one year and 10 months. He said Matthews had feared for her life, and was left with impaired mobility, and a long rehabilitation.

Peita had a list of previous convictions including aggravated assault, assault with intent to injure, and aggravated robbery.