Attacker ordered to pay victim $1500

A woman raised her arms to ward off blows from her intoxicated boyfriend before fleeing her home with him hot on her heels.

Aaron Marley Tuari, who caught up to the woman twice, punching her in the head as she ran down the road, was sentenced to 12 months’ intensive supervision, 100 hours’ community work, and ordered to pay $1500 in emotional harm reparation to his former girlfriend when he appeared before Judge Joanna Maze in the Timaru District Court on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old had pleaded guilty to assault with intent to injure and wilful damage.

The couple had met online and been in a relationship for about a month when the assault occurred at the woman’s home in the early hours of December 5.

‘‘Both were intoxicated after having been drinking alcohol,’’ police prosecutor Sergeant Ian Howard told the court.

‘‘The defendant stood over the victim while she sat on her bed, and he punched her about the head and in her left eye.

‘‘The victim held her hands over her head in a defensive manner to ward off the blows, and managed to force her way out of the room and run from the house.’’

The first time Tuari closed the gap between them, he struck her in the temple and cheek area. The second time, he hit her about the head again.

‘‘During the course of events, the defendant threw a vape device and other personal items belonging to the victim in the toilet in an attempt to flush them away,’’ Howard said.

The woman suffered bruising, swelling, and abrasions to her face, head, neck, and lower arms in the attack.

Judge Maze said Tuari had four previous convictions for family violence from 2015.

The judge said Tuari had been raised in a home where violence and alcohol abuse were common, and had moved from the North Island to the south for a fresh start after his relationship with the mother of his children failed.

Tuari had shown ‘‘genuine remorse and regret’’ for the attack last year, Judge Maze said.

‘‘This was a short but sustained episode of violence, attacking a vulnerable part of the victim’s body,’’ the judge said. ‘‘You are shocked at your own actions.

‘‘You have referred yourself to Arowhenua Wha¯nau Services, got a fulltime job and good family support, and I note you have someone here to support you today.’’

‘‘This was a short but sustained episode of violence, attacking a vulnerable part of the victim’s body.’’

Judge Joanna Maze