Document the ordeal, survivor pleads
When Emily Hicks escaped her abuser she was on foot. Her only access to a car was blocked by her tormenter, so she grabbed a lantern to light the 18km trek to the nearest town. It wasn’t before long a neighbour heading home saw her light in the darkness and pulled over to help.
Clutched in Hicks’ hands that August 2017 evening was a record of the abuse her husband Leigh Hicks had inflicted. It would be the key to seeing him convicted – and last week jailed for two years and six months, for 12 domestic abuse-related charges, including strangulation.
Emily is determined to share her story in the hope of helping others. ‘‘Evidence is the difference between just escaping and getting a conviction against your abuser,’’ she said. ‘‘Take photos. Keep notes. Never tell them you are doing it and make sure you record dates and times.’’
Emily first noticed something was wrong on the couple’s honeymoon. ‘‘He would say, ‘We’ve got our whole lives together,’ and go out drinking.’’
Hicks came to New Zealand from Wales to play club rugby, initially for Waihi Athletic before moving around to play for several clubs. He taught at Katikati College, Blomfield Special School, Goldfield’s School and Taumarunui High School, regularly moving the couple to avoid suspicion, Emily said.
When Emily became pregnant, the abuse increased and included shoving, threatening to kill her, encouraging her to kill herself, strangulation, and driving into oncoming traffic.
Hicks denied the offending but was found guilty at a judge-alone trial. At the Tauranga District Court sentencing on March 15 Judge Christopher Harding took a hard line against Hicks’ offending, saying Emily Hicks had suffered ‘‘significant psychological effects".
Hicks’ lawyer, James Gurnick, argued for a home detention and community work sentence, citing Hicks’ many character references.
But Judge Harding said a pre-sentencing report indicated Hicks was a high risk of harm to others.
Emily wants to move on with her life . ‘‘It’s over,’’ she said embracing her friends afterwards. ‘‘It’s finally over.’’