Pregnant woman choked by partner

When a woman eight months pregnant woke from unconsciousness after being strangled by her partner, he warned her the violence could get worse.

Earlier in this year, Justice Manukorihi Grace grabbed his partner around the throat with two hands and ‘‘squeezed’’ until she was unable to breathe.

The woman, who had nearly reached full-term in her pregnancy, was then pushed into a bedroom by the unborn child’s father, where she passed out.

When she came to, Grace, 18, threatened ‘‘things would get worse’’ if she complained to police.

Only one month later he twice smacked the woman in the face so hard the resulting injuries prevented her from properly chewing food or talking.

He later kicked her thigh, causing substantial bruising.

The pair’s child is now about 3 months old and the two remain in a relationship, it was heard at New Plymouth District Court yesterday.

The defendant, who was 17 at the time of offending and on bail, was jailed for the multiple domestic violence charges brought against him.

Crown prosecutor Georgia Milne sought a sentence of one year and 10 months in jail.

She argued the victim was vulnerable and had a right to feel safe in her own home, where the violence occurred.

Defence lawyer Paul Keegan sought a sentence of 16 months in prison with leave to apply for home detention.

‘‘You need to get home if you possibly can during that child’s early years.’’

Judge Chris Sygrove speaks to young father

His client had the support of the victim, he was young, showed remorse and had entered early guilty pleas, Keegan argued.

Judge Chris Sygrove said that despite his young age, Grace, who was supported by people present at the sentencing, was no stranger to court.

It was heard some of his previous offending was of a serious nature.

In relation to the recent offending, Judge Sygrove jailed the defendant for 18 months on two charges of male assaults female and one of assault with intent to injure.

A protection order in favour of the victim was imposed.

Grace was handed down a further one month of jail time, to be served concurrently, for an unrelated charge of dangerous driving, which also earned him a six-month disqualification from driving.

He was suspended from driving for a further six months for failing to stop for police, and convicted and discharged for a breach of supervision.

Judge Sygrove granted Grace leave to apply for home detention.

‘‘I do that because you have a young baby,’’ he said.

‘‘You need to get home if you possibly can during that child’s early years.’’