Groom jailed over wedding day attack

A Waikato groom who was in a swinging sexual relationship with a bridesmaid has been sentenced to five years' jail for confronting family with an ornamental axe after he was caught kissing the woman on his wedding day.

Family members had gathered at the home of 39-year-old Huntly man Mark Spencer to celebrate his wedding to his partner of 18 years on February 13 when an argument developed between Spencer and his sister, the Hamilton District court was told.

The pair began arguing after the ceremony when Spencer's sister caught him kissing a bridesmaid.

A summary of facts revealed Spencer and his wife were involved in a sexual relationship with the bridesmaid and her husband. The married couple were invited to be involved in the wedding, with the woman agreeing to be a bridesmaid, the Waikato Times reported.

Crown prosecutor Phillip Cornege said during the argument Spencer "lost the plot" and began punching his sister about the face.

As Spencer's parents intervened, he confronted his family with an ornamental axe, shoving his mother to the ground and punching a concerned neighbour in the face.

His parents now say they want nothing to do with him after two family members suffered broken noses and others were bruised and shaken as a result of the attack.

Defence counsel Michael McIvor said that Spencer's actions were impulsive, that he had mental health issues and was on medication.

Spencer had entered early guilty pleas to charges of causing grievous bodily harm, possessing an offensive weapon, injuring with intent to injure and two counts of aggravated assault.

Sentencing Spencer yesterday, Judge Glen Marshall described the attack as "cowardly".

- NZPA