Man threatens 'bad things' upon prison release

A man has had his prison sentence extended after telling a police officer a protection order wouldn't protect the victim if he got out of prison and killed her.

Erron Byles was served the protection order at Whanganui Prison by the officer on April 16.

While the officer was explaining the order and the consequences of breaching it, Byles spoke up.

"This doesn't protect her if I get out and go up there and kill her, does it? Bad things are going to happen when I get out," he said.

Byles appeared in the Whanganui District Court on Tuesday for sentence after pleading guilty to breaching a protection order and threatening to kill or do grievous bodily harm.

Judge Philip Crayton called it a "serious threat, no doubt in anger".

He gave Byles a one month prison sentence, cumulative on what he was already serving.

To actually communicate that or put that out there is a significant indicator of what has been occurring prior and what the female party has had to endure to that point.

Sergeant Nick Brunger

*Whanganui Police family violence intervention coordinator Sergeant Nick Brunger said comments such as Byles' were not common when people had protection orders served.

"It certainly wouldn't be the norm, however there are the cases where the respondent is upset with being served this protection order," Mr Brunger said.

While it was "certainly a possibility that they're just venting", the comments could also have serious implications.

"To actually communicate that or put that out there is a significant indicator of what has been occurring prior and what the female party has had to endure to that point. It's another step up actually voicing it, especially to a police officer or whoever is serving that protection order. It's a window to their attitude."

Mr Brunger said the order was a "very powerful document" and a "great piece of legislation", but it was only as good as the protected person made it.

"If they don't report it, we don't know about it with regards to breaches and what have you."

A protection order could work well to dissuade some people from offending, but there would always be people who had no regard for the law, Mr Brunger said.

"It's like most things with particular members of the public who feel that not just protection orders but the law in general doesn't apply.

"You're always going to have those type of people who receive the orders and think the same type of thing. I think that's turning in terms of the responses by the police and by the judicial system."

If you're in danger NOW:

• Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours of friends to ring for you
• Run outside and head for where there are other people
• Scream for help so that your neighbours can hear you
• Take the children with you
• Don't stop to get anything else
• If you are being abused, remember it's not your fault. Violence is never okay

Where to go for help or more information:

• Women's Refuge: Free national crisisline operates 24/7 - 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz
• Shine, free national helpline 9am- 11pm every day - 0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz
• It's Not Ok: Information line 0800 456 450 www.areyouok.org.nz
• Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and their children. Crisisline 24/7 0800 742 584
• Ministry of Justice: www.justice.govt.nz/family-justice/domestic-violence
• National Network of Stopping Violence: www.nnsvs.org.nz
• White Ribbon: Aiming to eliminate men's violence towards women, focusing this year on sexual violence and the issue of consent. www.whiteribbon.org.nz

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