Fine for attack on partner slammed

Paul Perez strangled his pregnant partner but only recieved a a $750 fine. Photo / Getty Images

Anti-violence campaigners have condemned the penalty handed to a Taranaki rugby player who strangled his pregnant partner but escaped with a $750 fine.

Paul Perez, 23, lifted his partner Dana Carlyle Brooks off the ground in May, choking her until she almost blacked out, before he punched her in the nose.

At his sentencing in New Plymouth this week, he sought a discharge without conviction so it wouldn't wreck his hopes of playing rugby overseas.

This was rejected by Judge Robert Murfitt, who told him he used "substantial violence" to try to subvert her and convicted him of two charges of assault and one of intentional damage.

Jane Drumm, executive director of Shine (Safer Homes in New Zealand Everyday), said the sentence was "just not acceptable" and she was extremely concerned for Ms Brooks' safety.

"When someone puts their hands around a person's throat and does that, that means they're very close to being killed," she said. "That is how women die.

"When someone is assaulted when pregnant, it means the person assaulting them not only doesn't care about them and the injuries they may sustain, but also the unborn baby ... And they do sustain injuries in the womb."

Ms Drumm said Perez's not guilty plea showed he had not taken any responsibility for his violence.

"He has put his pregnant partner through the stress of being a witness in court. He's not at all sorry," she said.

"I feel really sad for this woman, I really do ... She's in such a vulnerable position and she would really want it to work."

The case illustrated the importance of having family violence experts in court, she said.

"To be able to inform the judge about risk and safety issues that should be taken into account when considering bail and sentencing options."

Families Commission chief executive Paul Curry said it was pleasing that communities had come together in the past few weeks during the White Ribbon campaign to say that violence against women and children was not acceptable, but there was "a great deal more work" to be done.

"Just as it took a generation for people to 'make it click' with seatbelts, or for a meaningful drop in the numbers of people smoking, so issues regarding what is often intergenerational violence will take a great deal of time to change," Mr Curry said.

"This conviction highlights that there is still much work to be achieved, but relates to the actions of an individual."

Detective Sergeant David Beattie of New Plymouth said the violence Perez used had "raised eyebrows" among officers.

He said he understood Perez was "devastated" by the sentence but it was one that the police welcomed.

"It doesn't matter who you are. You've got to be made accountable, so the conviction was a good one," Mr Beattie said.

Strangulation was "right up there" in levels of violence seen by police. "That isn't seen that often and it's raised some eyebrows.

"It's starting to get very serious ... It's a precursor to a more serious type of offending."