Dunedin District Court

THREE assaults on his partner, each on a separate day, brought prison for a 23yearold man sentenced by Judge Michael Crosbie in the Dunedin District Court yesterday.

Nikora Parsons, of Dunedin, had admitted Crimes Act offences of assaulting a female on July 11, August 18 and August 23 last year.

He also been convicted of five other admitted offences — two of obtaining by deception ($13.99 motor oil from BP 2GO, Mornington, and $82.99 petrol from BP Bays Junction), on July 2; stealing a $4 police whiteboard marker pen, and intentionally damaging a police custody van, on August 5; and driving while disqualified, at Lawrence on August 23.

The first assault, at the victim’s address where she and Parsons were living at the time, resulted in her receiving bruising to her left eye and jaw, grazing to her left eyebrow and her neck, and bruising to both arms. Her jaw and nose were extremely sore. She did not need medical attention but had to take paracetamol for pain.

About 10.30am on August 18, Parsons and the victim were in Moray Pl, near Municipal Lane, when he began to argue with her about money that had been put in his bank account. The argument became heated and the victim fell as they both struggled for a bankcard.

As the victim got up, Parsons punched her once in the head, causing her to fall.

She got up and walked off with Parsons.

She was not injured by the punch.

In the Lawrence Information Centre on August 23, where they had gone to use the free WiFi, the two had an argument that escalated into an assault.

Struck by his partner, Parsons retaliated by pinning her against a partition wall and repeatedly striking her, causing minor bruising. She managed to free herself and sought refuge at a neighbouring business.

Counsel Brian Kilkelly said Parsons had a difficult background. He was in state care from about the age of 5 until he was 17. Although he had a moderately lengthy history of previous offending, he had certainly had some positives. He displayed artistic work very rare for his then young age of 16, when he completed a stonemason’s course.

‘‘Stonemasonry is something he will be looking at when he gets back into the community.’’

Parsons was determined, when released from prison, to address his problems, Mr Kilkelly said.

Judge Crosbie noted both August assaults were in public and when Parsons was on bail for the first assault.

It was not denied imprisonment was appropriate, the judge said. To his credit, Parsons had apologised to his partner and had gone to restorative justice. He said he realised the impact of his actions; he was dedicated to doing courses and could never apologise enough to his partner.

Parsons was sentenced to 27 months’ jail, made up of ninemonth cumulative terms for each of the three assaults, and concurrent onemonth terms on all other charges.

Disqualified driving also brought a 12month disqualification, and Parsons is to pay $13.99 and $82.99 reparation.

In addition, the judge made a protection order in favour of the assault victim.