Dunedin District Court

THE assault was aggravated by the fact the defendant was in breach of a protection order, Judge Kevin Phillips said sentencing a 25yearold man.

‘‘The victim says you were very aggressive and controlling,’’ he told Brendon Takudzwa Karamba in the Dunedin District Court yesterday.

Karamba, formerly of Christchurch but now of Dunedin, had been convicted of a Crimes Act male assaults female offence, and breaching a protection order, on February 2 last year.

The police summary said that Karamba and the victim had an argument when Karamba thought he could smell cigarette smoke on their 1yearold child, about 9.30pm on February 2 last year. Karamba picked up the victim’s phone and, holding it in his right hand, slapped the victim on the left side of her face.

Karamba pressed and held the phone against her face hard enough to cause her lip to split.

The victim ran to the bathroom.

In the kitchenliving room area a short time later, Karamba grabbed her by the throat with both hands and applied pressure to her neck for about five or six seconds.

Karamba let go.

The victim left, heading towards the street.

Karamba followed her outside, grabbed her by the hair and dragged her back inside.

Public defender Alan de Jager said the incident occurred in Christchurch. Karamba decided the best course of action was to physically remove himself and start a new life in Dunedin.

‘‘He is a man who has realised the wrong he has done. He had grown up in the past one and ahalf years.’’

The victim was still living in Christchurch. Karamba, a student, was not going to leave Dunedin, Mr de Jager said.

Judge Phillips noted Karamba had previously breached the protection order.

Karamba was sentenced to three months’ community detention (curfewed 7pm to 7am daily), 12 months’ supervision (with requirement to undergo a domestic violence programme) and 200 hours’ community work, and is to pay the victim $300 emotional harm reparation.

‘‘Offend again in a violent way and you’re going to prison,’’ the judge said.