Dunedin District Court

SEVEN convictions from two domestic violence incidents brought 15 months’ jail for a 45yearold drainlayer.

Blair Anthony Murphy, of Dunedin at the time of the first incident, and then of Mosgiel, pleaded guilty and waived his right to a presentence report after accepting a sentencing indication from Judge Thomas Ingram on Thursday.

He was charged with breaching a protection order by damaging property (a computer) belonging to the protected person, and behaviour amounting to psychological abuse of her, and a Crimes Act male assaults female offence against her, on May 13; and breaching the protection order by remaining in a building occupied by the protected person without her consent, a Crimes Act male assaults female offence against her, threatening to kill her, and intentionally damaging a window at her address, on July 14.

The police summary said there was an argument between Murphy and the victim about him wanting money from her, on May 13.

While in her bedroom, Murphy lifted her computer above his head, threatening her with it. He then threw it on the floor, damaging it.

Near the front door, Murphy grabbed the victim by the throat with one hand, pushed her out and locked her out.

When she pleaded with him to unlock the door, he opened it, slapped the left side of her face, threw her to the floor and walked to his bedroom.

On July 13, Murphy arrived at the victim’s address and stayed the night.

An argument ensued about some money the victim was missing.

During the argument, which continued throughout the night, Murphy threw the victim to the floor multiple times and threatened to kill her.

On July 14, police were called to the address after Murphy smashed the ranchslider window with a rock.

He verbally abused the victim and threatened to smash every window in the house.

Imposing imprisonment, the judge told Murphy: ‘‘You behaved very badly and you know it.’’

‘‘You say you know it’s the drugs that are doing this . . . it seems drugs may very well have played a part in you losing your rag and behaving like this.’’

Murphy is to be subject to standard and special release conditions for six months from the sentence end.

Other convictions

Karl John Gilchrist (45), car painter, drinkdriving, 1039mcg (prosecutor Sergeant John Somerfield said defendant basically stated he had ‘‘screwed up’’, knew he should not be driving), Signal Hill Rd, about 12.15am, July 28, 200 hours’ community work, nine months’ supervision, disqualified 28 days, alcohol interlock licence to follow. Gilchrist had one previous drinkdrive conviction, in 2016, Judge Kevin Phillips said.

David Peter John Sinclair (48), truck driver, of Gabriels Gully, drinkdriving, 178mg (random breath test; explanation, needed to get home), Kaikorai Valley Rd, about 1am, June 9, 150 hours’ community work, medical and analyst’s expenses $298.98, disqualified 28 days, alcohol interlock licence to follow. Sinclair had one previous drinkdrive conviction, in 2011, judge noted.

Daniel Nathan Mackie (24), forestry worker, of Milton, drinkdriving, 793mcg (told police had consumed two premix bourbon and colas), Big Bush Rd, Milton, about 6.45pm, last Saturday, fined $800, court costs $130, disqualified seven months.

Luke Philip Ian Worthington (24), of Christchurch, drinkdriving, 489mcg (random breath test at checkpoint; said just driving home from a mate’s place), about 12.30am, July 14, fined $475, court costs $130, disqualified six months.

Stephen Christopher Johnathan David Voight (44), of Dunedin, Crimes Act male assaults female offence against 25yearold woman with whom in brief relationship at time, and threatening behaviour (earlyhours argument between Voight and victim at his home, victim fell into wall accidentally, receiving cut to eyebrow; associate of Voight helped victim clean up the cut, while victim in bathroom Voight became angry, spoke to her in threatening manner saying if she didn’t leave the property she would end up dead, gave her two hours to pack her belongings or he would have her taken away; about five minutes later victim went to kitchen to get rubbish bag for belongings, Voight put arm around her neck and shoulder area, told her she could not have rubbish bag, threw her down four concrete steps leading outside from kitchen, victim received graze to knee and bruising), January 21, four months’ home detention, protection order in favour of victim; cancellation of outstanding community work, further three months’ home detention — making total home detention to seven months (with six months’ post detention conditions). Voight was sentenced by Judge Michael Crosbie on Thursday.

Glenn Mark David Swanson (17), of Dunedin, Summary Offences Act assault (male victim and Swanson know each other; Swanson does not approve of victim’s choice of sexuality; as they stood side by side speaking to each other, the victim placed his arm around Swanson; Swanson took offence, with back of his hand hit victim on bridge of his nose then delivered blow to back of victim’s head; assault resulted in victim sustaining swollen nose and lump to back of head), George St, May 21, 60 hours’ community work, $300 emotional harm reparation; stealing sweatshirt (value $125), Void, May 12, 40 hours’ community work (cumulative); stealing pair socks (value $8.95), Factorie Dunedin, May 12, 40 hours’ community work (concurrent); stealing hoodie (value $89.99), Farmers Trading Company, May 16, 40 hours’ community work (cumulative on the 60 and other 40 hours, making total term 140 hours), reparation $89.99.

Kadi Dawn Uren (20), of Kaitangata, Crimes Act assault (victim male with whom Uren had been in ‘‘on off’’ relationship about six months; Uren punched him once, hitting left side of his jaw, no injury resulting; in explanation said he had baited her), about 3.25pm, March 11, sentence deferred six months. Counsel Chris Lynch said Uren had learned from her mistake, written a letter of apology and had no previous convictions.

David Sinclair (38), of Dunedin, possessing utensils for smoking cannabis, fined $300; possessing cannabis (0.52g), fined $200, court costs $130; possessing cannabis seeds, convicted and discharged. The three charges followed a police visit to Sinclair’s home address about 2pm on July 4.

Rebecca Kohinga (62), beneficiary, of Dunedin, stealing cellphone (in Farmers Trading Company, George St, located sales representative’s bag while its owner stocking shelves, rummaged through the bag, removed two cellphones and headed away, short time later returned and put one phone back into the bag before leaving store), about 3pm, May 28, reparation $479 ($15 a week by attachment order on benefit).

Joshua William Buchanan (20), of Dunedin, trespassing on Warden St address, about 1.30am, July 22, sentence deferred six months.