Iraqi refugee has jail term deferred to be with sick wife

An Iraqi refugee identified as a risk around children has had his latest jail term deferred to be with his ill and pregnant wife.

Nathan Najim Abed, 47, unemployed, had pleaded guilty to assault of a woman and assault of a child on July 31, the Dominion Post reported today.

Wellington District Court Judge Jan Kelly jailed him last week for two months. She said Abed had previous convictions for indecent assault, assault and assault with intent to rape and a probation report mentioned concerns about Abed being with children under 16.

The judge said there had been problems with his behaviour in 2002 when he was released from a 2-1/2-year prison sentence for the assault with intent to rape charge.

Abed had made up a story about others trying to involve him in terrorist attacks after he had assaulted two men. He had been recalled to complete his prison time as well as a new sentence of nine months.

Judge Kelly said that early this year, Abed had been in Cuba Mall when he saw two girls aged 13 and 14. He began staring then flicking his tongue in and out at them, and making gestures for them to come over.

The girls were scared and left, heading to a shop so they could call police, the judge said. As one of the girls was making the call, Abed came up behind her and took her cellphone.

He gave it back when a shop attendant asked him to but still tried to put an arm around one of the girls.

Judge Kelly said both girls had been significantly affected by his actions.

After she had sentenced him to jail, his lawyer, Sue Insley, asked for the term to be deferred. She said his wife was seven months' pregnant and ill. They had four children, including one who was disabled.

Judge Kelly granted him leave to apply for home detention and deferred the start of his sentence on humanitarian grounds.

- nzpa