Assault on girlfriend leads to community order

Adrienne Jason Tehuia Clarke, 36, appeared in Masterton District Court recently and pleaded guilty to a charge of male assaults female.

A man who subjected his girlfriend to a "nasty assault" leaving her in need of hospital care has been sentenced to nine months' supervision and 80 hours' community work.

Adrienne Jason Tehuia Clarke, 36, appeared in Masterton District Court recently and pleaded guilty to a charge of male assaults female.

Prosecuting sergeant Garry Wilson said that on August 15 Clarke became angry when a conversation with friends turned to his relationship with his girlfriend and he left the house. He later returned to the house and walked up to his partner who was sitting next to the fire. He picked up a wicker wood basket containing two large pieces of firewood and hit the woman over the head with it. He did the same with another wood basket and then hit her to the head with her own wine glass causing it to shatter over the floor. He also punched her numerous times to her head and upper torso.

Clarke went into the kitchen and the woman attempted to escape through the laundry but Clarke followed her, the court heard. While in the laundry he took hold of her and hit her head against the side of the walls and cupboard doors. He threw her around the laundry and then out into the hallway where he continued to kick and punch her until police entered the house.

The woman suffered lacerations and bruises to her face, head and neck area, with multiple bruises to her head and had to be taken to hospital.

Defence lawyer Virginia Pearson said Clarke denied kicking or punching the woman and said he had kicked the wood basket and the wood had unintentionally hit her.

"[He said] that this was a tussle, a verbal argument."

She said alcohol was a factor and the pair, who still wanted to be in a relationship, needed to work on things.

Judge Tony Walsh said the victim had suffered "quite nasty injuries". Although Clarke denied punching the woman the reality was she was left with bruises and lacerations, he said.

"I've seen the photos of the injuries that she suffered and to put it bluntly you knocked her around that night and you know that, the injuries speak for themselves.

"There is no doubt that this incident was very frightening for the victim ... she does maintain however that she does want to continue the relationship with you, she has highlighted good factors about you but it's a great pity you let yourself down and resorted to violence.

"You lost control this night and it's fortunate she didn't suffer more serious injuries, that's how tragedy happens, people lose the plot, sometimes people die."