Woman belted man with frying pan

A woman who tried to split her estranged partner’s skull by hitting him with a frying pan later told police she didn’t hit him enough.

April Pakau, 35, went to the victim’s house in Ha¯ wera at 11pm on November 7, but he asked her to leave because he had a headache, a police summary of facts said.

Instead, she flew into a rage and began yelling at the victim: ‘‘Do you want me to put you out of your misery?’’

The victim, who was crouched on the floor, told her he was going to call the police and went outside. Pakau grabbed a frying pan from the kitchen and followed him.

As the man talked to the police she began belting him with the pan.

‘‘She hit the victim numerous times around the head and shoulders with the frying pan, inflicting pain,’’ the summary said.

‘‘She then grabbed him by the hair and yanked him to the ground by it, after which she sat on his legs and continued to swing the frying pan at his head, stating she was going to kill him and split his skull open.’’

As the victim struggled to get Pakau away from him, the handle of the frying pan broke.

He left the address a short time later.

The victim suffered bruising and a lump on his head and shoulders, the summary said.

Pakau told police she went at the victim with the frying pan and wanted to split his skull open with it.

She stated she did not hit him enough.

There have been 10 previous family harm incidents between Pakau and the victim, who have been separated for six months after a three-year relationship, the summary said.

Their infant child was present in the house at the time of the incident.

Pakau pleaded guilty in the Ha¯wera District Court on Tuesday to charges of assault with a blunt instrument and behaving threateningly.

Judge Lynne Harrison remanded Pakau in custody. She will appear for sentencing on February 14.

After she was returned to the cells following her appearance, loud banging and thumping from the cells could be heard in the courtroom, prompting the judge to adjourn proceedings and withdraw until Pakau quietened down.