Jail for man who beat his children

A Blenheim man who beat his children with a belt and a stick has been sent to prison for 12 months.

Wayne Francis Barker previously pleaded guilty to three charges of assaulting children and three of assault with a weapon.

Defence lawyer Gary Sawyer told Blenheim District Court the past few years had been tumultuous for Barker and his relationship with the children's mother had not been an easy one.

She had regularly come and gone from the relationship, placing a financial burden on him and leaving him to deal with the children and provide for them.

Judge David McKegg said the spread of Baker's offending showed a pattern of abuse.

Barker had beaten his daughter with a belt and thrown her down the hall. He had assaulted his son with a piece of wood, kicked and punched him and hit him with a willow stick.

"There has been absolutely no remorse shown for this abuse of your children," said Judge McKegg.

"You are bad-tempered and abusive -- you don't need to be around children and I'm not entirely sure you are trustworthy around adults."

Judge McKegg said Barker had an alcohol and drug problem and had used cannabis since he was 15.

The community needed to know the law would protect children from such beatings by their parents and jail was the only option, he said.

Judge McKegg noted that the victim impact report indicated the children had a better understanding of life than Barker, which was very sad for him.

- NZPA