But O'Connell's romantic overtures were firmly rebuffed.
She repeatedly asked him to leave, and when she called police
O'Connell screamed at her: "Is this what you want, do you want me to beat you up?"
He pushed her on to the bed and punched her 15 times to the legs as the victim curled into a ball to protect herself.
The woman kicked out at her ex-boyfriend, he grabbed her ankle, slapped her on the arm and climbed on top of her as she adopted the foetal position.
As she lashed out at O'Connell, a neighbour yelled out and the attacker fled the scene.
The first flashpoint that resulted in the defendant being charged three weeks earlier, involved him throwing a glass of whisky and cola into the victim's face.
She called her sister and they teamed up to force him from the house. O'Connell left when his laptop was put outside. When he found himself locked out, he punched a door, cracking a panel.
Judge Kevin Phillips said the pair had met some months after the two incidents for a restorative-justice conference.
The victim said she wanted to see change in O'Connell, and his alcohol abuse had to be addressed.
He was sentenced to 12 months' intensive supervision, four months' community detention, 150 hours' community work and ordered to pay $175 reparation.
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 crisis line 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. Crisis line 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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