Court hears of brutal beating

A man used a large piece of wood and an axe handle to beat his pregnant partner "to within an inch of her life".

She lost her baby while in Rotorua Hospital's intensive care unit fighting for her life.

A jury of 10 women and two men acquitted Adrian Rikihana of attempted murder and instead found him guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The 35-year-old was on trial for three days in the High Court at Rotorua this week. Justice Paul Heath discharged him on one count of assault on a child, prior to the jury retiring to consider its verdicts.

Rikihana's partner, Ira Emery, 35, was pregnant with her 10th child on September 13 last year when he beat her.

In his closing address, Crown Prosecutor Shane Walsh told the jury that during an examination of the couple's Murupara home, clumps of the woman's black hair and blood were found "splattered" throughout the house.

Rikihana arrived home from work the evening before the assault, had dinner and a few glasses of wine and went to bed early. Emery then took his car and went to a party in Murupara, where she twice got into fights with Tribesmen gang members during the night.

Witnesses who gave evidence during the three-day trial said they saw her being kicked and punched in those fights.

Someone then stole Rikihana's car. When she returned home without it, Rikihana beat Emery, Walsh said. "He was upset about his car being stolen. He beat her to within an inch of her life."

Although she got into two fights that night, it was the Crown's contention that the serious head injury was inflicted by Rikihana at their home moments before Emery slipped into unconsciousness.

Doctors who gave evidence during the four-day trial stated Emery would have been rendered unconscious immediately following the injuries she received to the head.

Police found blood splattered throughout the home, including "cast-off" blood found on walls and ceilings, Walsh said.

"One thing is certain, Ira Emery was assaulted inside that house," he said.

One of her young daughters witnessed the attack and during an interview with police told them, "Uncle Adrian threw wood at Mum", and he "kicked her arse".

"She thought her mum had died," Walsh told the court.

Defence lawyer Harry Edward told the jury his client had not caused the injuries suffered.

Emery was beaten up twice on the night by Tribesman gang members and Rikihana's behaviour when he found her, wasn't that of someone who had just beaten his partner "half to death", Edward said.

Rikihana comforted her, ringing police and an ambulance.

"He demonstrated concern and care for that woman," he said.

Emery was not an innocent person - she got in fights and was an associate of the Mongrel Mob, Edward said. "She was no shrinking violet. She was out there to cause trouble that night."

In summing up, Justice Heath told the jury to put aside any prejudice about the couple or their lifestyle when reaching its verdict.

Rikihana was remanded in custody for sentencing on November 30.

- APN