Alexandra District Court
A CROMWELL man has been sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment for an assault in which he tried to strangle a woman while their 2yearold child was between them.
Jason Charles Adamson (24), operator, had admitted in the Alexandra District Court in May charges of assault with intent to injure and intentional damage arising from a December 18 incident in Cromwell.
Adamson had been at his Cromwell home with his then partner when she confronted him about his behaviour and he lost his temper.
He grabbed her while she was seated, put his hands around her neck and started choking her while their 2yearold was between them.
He then struck her on the nose and punched a hole in the wall.
The victim suffered severe bruising to her neck.
In the Alexandra court yesterday before Judge Michael Turner, Adamson also admitted driving with an excess breathalcohol level of 650mcg in Cromwell on April 21.
He was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment for the assault, one month’s imprisonment for the wilful damage and two weeks’ imprisonment for the drinkdriving, to be served concurrently.
Adamson was also disqualified from driving for six months.
Judge Turner granted leave for Adamson’s counsel to apply for the imprisonment to be converted to home detention.
Assaulted teenager
An Alexandra woman with a propensity to violence has narrowly avoided prison for assaulting a teenager with a baseball bat.
Joanne Elizabeth Blondell (35) had gone to Cromwell on October 24 with a group who had arranged to meet a group of teenagers.
Counsel for Blondell, Justine Baird, said Blondell denied intending to confront anyone, and was only travelling with the group to collect her daughter.
Judge Turner noted that part of the facts summary was disputed, but said it did not affect Blondell’s culpability and a disputed facts hearing was not necessary.
He said the others in the group had gone to confront a 15yearold in the group over a ‘‘perceived slight’’ between him and Blondell’s daughter; he had been in a relationship with the daughter.
Blondell was charged with using words to threaten the 15yearold after she verbally abused him.
She was also charged with assault after hitting another teenager, aged 17, with a baseball bat. Blondell had first thrown the bat at the 17yearold but it did not hit him. He then picked it up and Blondell demanded he return it.
He only returned the bat when she promised not to use it, but when she got it back she swung it and hit him on the elbow, causing abrasions, bruising and swelling.
Counsel for Blondell, Justine Baird, said Blondell was remorseful but Judge Turner said he doubted that, and also disagreed with reports that assessed Blondell at medium risk of reoffending and harming others.
‘‘Given your propensity to violence I would have thought the risk of that would be higher.’’
Blondell had 42 previous convictions, including some for assault and assault with a weapon, and had spent time in prison.
Judge Turner said Blondell escaped imprisonment this time ‘‘by the narrowest of margins’’, mainly because of her responsibilities to her other children. He sentenced her to six months’ home detention and ordered her to pay $300 emotional harm reparation to each teenager.
Home detention
Raymond Brett Tomkies (42), of Cromwell, was sentenced to seven months’ home detention and 200 hours’ community work on five charges.
Tomkies had admitted two charges of injuring with intent to injure, on July 23 and October 6, 2016 in Cromwell; two charges of male assaults female, on December 23 and 25, 2016 in Cromwell; and refusing to allow a blood specimen to be taken on December 25, 2016 in Cromwell.
Tomkies was also ordered to pay reparation of $600 and emotional harm reparation of $1000, and disqualified from driving for six months.
Other convictions
Dominic Charles Richard Forsyth (24), of Cromwell, dangerous driving and failing to stop for police, Cromwell, May 10. 60 hours’ community work and disqualified from driving for nine months.
Lawson Gee Maralau (33), vineyard worker, of Cromwell, drink driving, 940mcg, Cromwell, May 19. 80 hours’ community work, disqualified from driving for nine months.
Samantha Rose Kenworthy (22), cleaner, of Alexandra, drink driving, 466mcg, Alexandra, June 20. 80 hours’ community work, court costs $130, disqualified from driving for six months.
Marshall James Penny (18), of Alexandra, drink driving being under 20 years, 357mcg, Alexandra, April 16; and 400mcg, Clyde, June 10. 50 hours’ community work, disqualified from driving for five months.
Jake James White (22), farmer, of Omakau, driving while impaired (cannabis), Alexandra, February 2. Fined $350, court costs $130, medical expenses and analyst’s fees $770.58.
Annika Henderson (22), bar manager, of Alexandra, driving while suspended, Alexandra, June 7. Fined $300, court costs $130, disqualified from driving for six months.
Shae Murray Kereopa (24), supervisor, of Alexandra, stealing a $60 bottle of gin from Henry’s Wines and Spirits, Alexandra, April 29. 50 hours’ community work and $60 emotional harm reparation, having already paid $60 reparation.
Jodi Kirsteen Barkman (48), of Cromwell, stole goods worth $76.97 from Paper Plus, Cromwell, June 3. Convicted and discharged, having made reparation of $76.97.
Ben Robert Hurley (18), tyre moulder, of Alexandra, operating a vehicle with sustained loss of traction, Alexandra, April 7. Fined $350, disqualified from driving for six months.