Fight couple both guilty

Nicholas James Sutherland pleaded guilty to a male assaults female charge in Masterton District Court earlier this week and was sentenced to nine months' supervision.

A brutal domestic dispute between a Wairarapa couple has led to convictions for both parties involved.

Nicholas James Sutherland pleaded guilty to a male assaults female charge in Masterton District Court earlier this week and was sentenced to nine months' supervision.

According to the police summary of facts on February 16, Sutherland was at his Jellicoe St home with his partner, Danni Martin, and their 14-month-old daughter.

The pair were drinking and a violent altercation erupted between them. Both Sutherland and Martin used violence against each other, Sutherland tackled Martin to the ground and smashed the back of her head into the concrete three or more times.

He then dragged Martin into the house where further violence erupted. Sutherland left the house with the child after Martin broke a pot plant over his head.

Defence lawyer Ian Hard said the pair were still together and that there had been no violence since the incident.

"This is a one-off sort of situation," said Mr Hard.

He added Sutherland had already undertaken counselling.

Judge Ian Mill asked if the incident was the one in which Martin's arm was cut, after she went through a window, Sutherland replied it was.

A day earlier, Martin pleaded guilty and was convicted of assault and wilful damage.

Judge Mill gave Martin a suspended sentence, which means she is ordered to come up if called upon within nine months.

It also means if she offends within this period, she will be resentenced on this charge as well as any new charge.

On the wilful damage charge, Martin was ordered to pay reparation of $983.25.