Jail for punching pregnant partner

Masterton man Ronayne Joseph Dempsey, 25, has been sentenced to a year in prison for attacking his pregnant girlfriend while she lay in bed.

A Masterton man who attacked his pregnant girlfriend while she lay in bed has been sentenced to a year in prison.

Ronayne Joseph Dempsey, 25, appeared in Masterton District Court last week for sentencing on charges of male assaults female, threatening behaviour and possession of a knife. According to the police summary of facts, on July 9 Dempsey had been drinking and smoking cannabis with friends while his partner slept. He later entered the bedroom and woke the woman, wanting to talk.

When she said she did not want to, he became angry and started throwing things.

He grabbed her by the hair, pulling it hard and yelling that he had done "nothing wrong".

Dempsey started punching holes in the bedroom walls, which alerted a friend who entered the room to intervene.

The woman stayed in bed, too scared to leave, while Dempsey continued to kick and punch parts of the house.

He returned to the bedroom and punched her several times in the face and head. The friend intervened again and dragged Dempsey into the lounge.

The woman confronted Dempsey and told him to leave. She went into the kitchen and he followed, grabbed her, pinned her against the wall and punched her.

Dempsey eventually left and the woman reported the incident to police. She had suffered bruising to her face and head and an abrasion to her top lip.

When found, Dempsey also had been the victim of an assault.

He was arrested after being discharged from hospital and had a knife in his possession.

Defence lawyer Virginia Pearson said Dempsey disputed punching the woman more than once: "He accepts that there was one very strong [punch] and maintains it was one."

She said a photo of the woman's injuries was inconsistent with more than one punch.

Ms Pearson said Dempsey's relationship with his partner was difficult but he was hopeful there may be some room to have a healthier relationship.

Judge Tony Walsh said Dempsey had received more than 80 convictions, 16 of which were related to violent offending and 10 which were related to possession of a knife, or another offensive weapon. He said Dempsey was considered at "high risk" of reoffending and had drug dependency and alcohol related issues.

Judge Walsh said he had no doubt the victim was upset and frightened by what happened. "The aggravating factors were the vulnerability of the victim, there was a blow to her head, she was unable to protect herself and while there is a disagreement you struck her a number of times there can be no doubt the assault on her was sustained."

He said both the victim and the public needed to be protected from Dempsey.