Dunedin District Court

THE defendant had spent 71 days in custody, Judge Michael Turner said at the sentencing of a 22yearold man. ‘‘Whether you go back is entirely in your hands,’’ he told Mitchell Laird Watson, of Dunedin.

Watson was before the Dunedin District Court yesterday convicted of offending against his former partner and his 2yearold son.

He had admitted two charges of breaching a protection order by engaging in behaviour amounting to psychological abuse of his former partner (on June 27 and July 1); intentionally damaging the front door of the victims’ address, on June 27; breaching a protection order in physically abusing the 2yearold, on June 30; intentionally damaging walls at the victims’ address, on July 1; and assaulting the 2yearold, on July 3.

Reviewing the facts, the judge said Watson became angry during an argument with his former partner on the evening of June 27.

He went outside and while he was outside the victim locked him out.

Watson started throwing empty bottles at the front door, one bottle smashing a hole in a glass pane. Still unable to get into the house, Watson kicked the front door open resulting in the door lock and frame smashing.

Once inside, he abused the victim threatening her by saying she was dead and going to get what was coming to her.

On June 30, while Watson and the 2yearold were in the lounge, Watson threw a bottle at him, causing him to cry.

At the victims’ address on July 1, in an argument about a cellphone, Watson tried to take the phone from his former partner.

During a struggle Watson dragged the woman off her feet and on to the floor, then struck the right side of her face.

After taking the cellphone from her, he ran outside and threw it at the front door.

Back inside soon after, he screamed abuse at the woman, pushed over a television, picked up a vacuum cleaner and threw it on to the floor, then smashed a dinner plate and punched a large hole a lounge wall, injuring the knuckles of his right hand.

About 8am on July 3, the 2yearold was playing in the lounge when Watson slapped him on the hand. The child responded by hitting him with a plastic toy golf club. Watson then slapped him on the face.

The judge said Watson had a conviction in June this year for a family violence matter. And he had previously offended against his family.

But, the judge noted, Watson had a very supportive family.

‘‘You need to take stock of yourself,’’ he told him.

Watson showed no insight into the effect of his conduct on others. The probation report did not reflect well on him. To his credit, he agreed to pay for the damage he caused, the judge said.

On the charges relating to the 2yearold, Watson was sentenced to four months and two weeks’ jail, a sentence the judge said should see him released immediately.

On the other charges he was sentenced to 12 months’ intensive supervision (with special conditions and threemonthly judicial monitoring) and 100 hours’ community work.

For the intentional damage on July 1 he is also to pay $1960 reparation.

Other convictions

Mathew Nikau Wilson (25), of Dunedin, escaping from custody of constable (arrested for breaching bail, ran off), Melbourne St, about 7.35pm, June 15, five and ahalf months’ jail (six months’ release conditions include requirement not to consume alcohol or nonprescribed drugs); four charges intentional damage (kicked and punched four vehicles), Hyde St, just after midnight, May 6, one month’s jail (each charge), reparation amounting to $564; breaching intensive supervision (failed to advise probation of new address), June 9, two months’ jail; intensive supervision cancelled, resentence for offending for which it was imposed (one month’s jail); all jail terms concurrent, making total term five and ahalf months.

Stephen John Penniket (47), of Broad Bay, Crimes Act male assaults female offence against 17yearold family member (judge said victim received swollen lip, bruised and swollen right shin; noted victim impact statement spoke of emotional harm being greater than physical injury), about 8am, March 1; associated charge of possessing offensive weapon (tomahawk), overall sentence three months’ community detention (curfewed 7pm Fridays to 6am Mondays), 100 hours’ community work, six months’ supervision.

Geordie Patrick Schofield (20), two charges of intentional damage, and Summary Offences Act assault on 18yearold woman with whom had been in threemonth relationship at time (drinking at house in Timaru where woman living, June 30; both left for party in Temuka, about 9pm; Schofield returned to house alone, about 1am, July 1; using key woman had given him, entered her bedroom, broke fulllength mirror by knocking it to floor; tore items of her clothing, snapped her hairstraighteners with his hands; punched her laptop, causing screen to crack and detach; opened woman’s makeup containers, rubbed contents into carpet, wrote obscenity on wall using black makeup; about 9.30am, both at house, assault involved him grabbing her left wrist with his right hand when arguing about the damage), overall sentence 150 hours’ community work, nine months’ supervision (with requirement to undergo alcohol and drug programme and Stopping Violence course), $400 reparation ($200 being emotional harm payment to woman). Counsel Deborah Henderson said restorative justice reports ‘‘go a long way to atoning for what he has done’’; Schofield took full responsibility for his behaviour ‘‘and wants to make things right’’, Mrs Henderson said.

Paul AbdulgaFur Sales Salih (46), of Dunedin, drinkdriving, 490mcg, Howe St, about 1.30am, July 23, fined $500, court costs $130, disqualified six months.