KEY POINTS:
A convicted murderer on life parole has been given a community work sentence for assaulting a tow truck driver at Kaiapoi last year.
Ross Alan Bonica, 48 and unemployed, has already appeared before the Parole Board as a result of the assault while on parole. The board formally recalled him to prison and then released him again immediately.
Today in Christchurch District Court Judge Michael Crosbie imposed a sentence of 100 hours community work with nine months supervision and a direction that he receive counselling and treatment as required.
Bonica had assaulted the tow truck driver after he found his van being towed away from outside his home in Kaiapoi, on instructions of the local body. During the incident, his own hand became caught in the tow mechanism, and he punched the driver several times causing a bleeding nose. He was convicted of assault at the trial, after initially facing a more serious charge.
Before the sentencing, the judge asked for a psychological report which showed the incident was a reaction to stress. "Nobody thinks this is a trigger for more violent offending," said Judge Crosbie.
At the time, Bonica had been a full-time caregiver for his wife who has since died of cancer, had been a caregiver for his daughter, and was coping with the loss of a tourist business.
Bonica was jailed for murder in May 1986. Since his release, the assault has been his only brush with the law. Defence counsel Paul Johnson handed up references including one from a probation officer.
- NZPA
