Jailed for assaults on girlfriend

A judge has imposed a nonassociation order between a Timaru man and the woman he assaulted multiple times, despite the victim’s protests.

Lindsey Hayden Cooper, 32, was sentenced to six months’ jail when he appeared before Judge Joanna Maze in the Timaru District Court yesterday. He had pleaded guilty to a representative charge of common assault.

Cooper was released on time served because he had been in custody for about seven months. He was taken into custody in July 2019 after three attacks on his girlfriend over four months.

The first was when an argument turned physical at a Luxmoore Rd, Timaru, property about 11.30am on January 23, last year. Crown prosecutor Andrew McRae said Cooper retaliated when the victim pushed past him, trying to leave ‘‘The defendant pushed the complainant out the front door, causing her to fall down five concrete steps.’’

On March 12, the couple began arguing while staying at a Christchurch Holiday Park. Cooper reacted to the victim slapping him across the face by headbutting her, knocking her to the floor.

And during an argument on Essex St, Timaru, about 2.30pm on May 24, Cooper grabbed the victim in a headlock to stop her from continuing to attack him.

‘‘In the days after that, the defendant awoke to the complainant yelling at and punching him,’’ McRae said. ‘‘The defendant responded with a backhand strike to the complainant’s head, to the left side of her face – with enough force to fracture her nose.’’

The victim also suffered bruising, a swollen lip and cheek, and a possible concussion in the assaults. She recorded her injuries on her cell phone.

Defence lawyer Timothy Jackson said on Tuesday the victim had sent him an email stating she wanted to be able to contact Cooper upon his release, and opposed the prosecution’s application for a non-association order, which would only be lifted if probation were satisfied the defendant would not reoffend against her.

Cooper felt the same way, Jackson said. ‘‘He understands the issues and the need for some guidance, but he has some issues with the open-endedness of that condition. His concern is it leaves him and his partner in the hands of Corrections and sets them up for a problem they don’t have.’’

Judge Maze said the pair needed to view the condition not as a restriction, but a protection.

‘‘I’m satisfied probation are asking for that condition so they can ... (make) a safety plan, which will lead to changes in patterns ‘‘It’s apparent the victim of the offending is determined to resume contact and it’s equally apparent he [Cooper] welcomes the continuation of the relationship.’’