A Turangi forestry worker has been sentenced to 18 months' supervision for making his 10-year-old daughter smoke seven cigarettes as punishment for smoking.
Johnny Paru, 33, who pleaded guilty to cruelty to a child, was sentenced in the Taupo District Court on Friday.
The court was told that Paru came home intoxicated after drinking with workmates in October last year and locked himself in his daughter's bedroom.
He then forced her to smoke seven hand-rolled cigarettes and threatened her with a "hiding" if she didn't "puff it up".
The girl suffered a minor burn to her face when Paru tried to light one of the cigarettes. He demanded she stub them out on his leg, which she did not want to do.
Paru told her to "just burn me" then grabbed her hand so tightly her knuckles cracked.
The victim's 7-year-old brother was also trapped in the room.
He awoke to a room full of smoke and afterwards vomited several times from fear and trauma, the police summary of facts stated.
Eventually family members were able to break into the room and retrieve the two children.
Police said Paru showed no remorse for his actions and he felt that he was entitled to treat his children that way.
- NZPA, HERALD ON SUNDAY
Father sentenced for forcing child to smoke
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