Man forced partner to punch him, court told

File photo / NZ HERALD

A man forced his partner to repeatedly punch his face in a bid to get her locked up for assault, a court was told today.

But his plan backfired and he found himself arrested.

Jordan Robert Leo Cairns, 18, pleaded guilty in Christchurch District Court this morning to assault and drink-driving.

Judge Tony Couch remanded him on bail to March 31 for a probation report and sentence.

Cairns was ordered to live apart from his partner and their child during the remand, but the judge said he would be allowed to visit if invited.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Tu Maaka told the court said the argument developed between the couple while they were in bed at their home in suburban Bryndwr.

Cairns then pushed his partner out of bed and told her to sleep on the couch.

When she tried to get a blanket off the bed, he got out of bed, grabbed her by the hair and dragged her to the floor.

After he let her go, he grabbed her right hand with his hand.

"He then forced the victim to punch him repeatedly in the face stating that he was going to get her locked up for assault," said Mr Maaka.

"The victim managed to put her other hand on the defendant's face causing the punches to strike her own hand about 15 times."

Cairns then grabbed her by the throat and bent her backwards over the couch. He kept it up until she struggled for breath and dropped her car keys.

Cairns took the keys, kneeing the woman three times in the abdomen when she tried to stop him leaving the house.

He was later picked up for drink-driving.

He admitted to police that he had kneed his partner in the stomach, but claimed he had acted in self defence. They preferred her account and charged him with assault.

- NZPA