A man who splashed around petrol and then set fire to his former partner's Rotorua house while she, her young daughter and their baby were inside has been jailed.
Shiva Lachman Anand's actions were described as an "extreme example of domestic violence" by Judge Phillip Cooper, who today sentenced Anand to five-and-a-half years' jail.
Anand, 33, appeared in the Rotorua District Court for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to arson, male assaults female and assault relating to a separate offence.
Judge Cooper said just moments before setting fire to the house, Anand splashed petrol on his former partner's boots and told her "you are going to die b***h, show me your phone or I will burn your house down".
The woman, her 9-year-old daughter, and their 3-month-old baby escaped the blaze without serious injuries but the fire caused $185,000 of damage, including the loss of all possessions and furniture.
The King St property that was engulfed in flames during a domestic dispute. Photo/file
The attack happened on June 7. Judge Cooper said the pair had been in a relationship for about 18 months but had separated. Despite this, Anand had continued to live in the same house for about a month.
During an argument, Anand pushed his former partner against a wall and put her in a headlock in front of her young daughter.
Judge Cooper said Anand left the house and the woman sent him a text message telling him not to come back. Angry texts were exchanged and Anand returned to the house with a can of petrol and a lighter.
Anand was demanding to see his former partner's phone and splashed petrol around the flat. He opened the oven door as if to demonstrate he was going to set fire to the house.
Judge Cooper said the former partner was pleading with him to stop because of the impact of his actions on the children.
"He then set fire to the property. The complainant, the 9-year-old and your baby were inside the house."
Judge Cooper said the former partner was yelling to her daughter to get out of the house but she had trouble opening the door. They finally got it open and they ran from the house before the property was engulfed in flames.
The assault charge related to an attack on January 4 near Taupo where Anand took exception to the way another driver merged in a lane.
When the driver stopped, Anand went to him and punched him three times in the head before running off. The man suffered a sore jaw.
Judge Cooper said Anand had previous convictions for assault, intentional damage, threatening behaviour, unlawful entry and male assaults female.
A restorative justice report said Anand had alcohol and methamphetamine issues and was being medicated for depression. Anand said in the report he would use the time in jail to make constructive changes in his life.
A victim impact report said the former partner suffered bruising and she and her daughter were clearly traumatised. She was also suffering symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder.
Judge Cooper said there were threats of violence, premeditation and a "malicious attempt to inflict harm".
He said not only was there the loss of all belongings, which weren't insured, but there was a significant risk to life.
"This is an extreme example of domestic violence. There were attempts to control and manipulate the complainant, accompanied by threats to kill her and burn down the house."
Judge Cooper sentenced him to five years and three months for the arson and male assaults female charges and a further three months for the assault charge, which he said was to be served cumulatively because it was separate offending.
