Children may see dad as ‘terrorist’

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"They should be proud of you as their father. They should be able to look up to you for guidance and example." Judge John Brandts-Giesen

A Christchurch father-of-two has been warned his children may see him as ‘‘a terrorist’’ because of his history of violence.

David James McBain, 31, was jailed again yesterday at a Christchurch District Court sentencing, when he was sentenced and re-sentenced on four charges.

Judge John Brandts-Giesen told him he had acted with ‘‘arrogance’’ and seemed to believe the law did not apply to him.

McBain was jailed for 10 months in 2011 for beating a St John ambulance member at a bus stop because someone he was with said the man looked like someone who had burgled him.

At that stage, McBain had convictions for assault, possession of offensive weapons, and intimidation. His presentence report said he had an alcohol problem and a propensity to violence.

McBain was back before the court yesterday on charges of drink-driving, disqualified driving, posting a harmful digital communication, and breaching a protection order.

Judge Brandts-Giesen said McBain was convicted on May 27 for drink driving and admitted driving while disqualified.

He was on home detention for that offending when he sent an intimate image of a woman and threatening text to her new partner.

Community Probation asked to have him re-sentenced.

Judge Brandts-Giesen said McBain claimed affection for his two children, but questioned ‘‘what sort of example are you to them’’.

‘‘They should be proud of you as their father. They should be able to look up to you for guidance and example.’’ Instead, they may see him as a type of terrorist, the judge said.

He imposed a series of jail terms totalling nine months. McBain is already disqualified from driving indefinitely.