Man punched partner and her mother during row

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A man who punched his partner and her mother and threw a metal pole at her sister has been sentenced to community detention.

Zarith Jones was arguing with his partner on August 13 in the sleepout on the mother's property, where they were staying. The mother and younger sister of the victim could hear the argument and came out to intervene.

Jones punched his partner while yelling and insulting her. The punch caused her head to fly back and hit a door, Whanganui District Court heard.

He then forced his partner inside the sleepout, towards the lounge, continuing to verbally abuse her. The victim's mother tried to put herself between them, and he punched her in the back left side of her head, Judge David Cameron said.

Jones continued yelling at his partner and began backing her into a corner, before repeatedly striking her with his fists, elbows and knees.

Police were called and Jones began following the victim's sister with a metal pole, then threw it at her while yelling abuse.

"When he realised he had missed, he picked up a rock and attempted to hit her," Judge Cameron said.

The sister was unhurt.

Jones' criminal history ranges from 2006-12. A pre-sentence report said he was remorseful for his offending and was a user of prescription drugs, including for anxiety. He had been consuming cannabis, creating a "dangerous mix".

He had since self-referred to alcohol and drug counselling, and the counsellor noted Jones had shown a positive change in attitude. Jones pleaded guilty to male assaults female and assault with intent to injure.

Judge Cameron sentenced him to four months' community detention with an 8pm-6am curfew and six months' supervision. His sentence will be carried out in Hastings.