Man sentenced to six and a half years for violent attacks

Ruka Hemopo was sentenced in the Wellington High Court this morning. Photo / File

A man has been sentenced to six and a half years in jail after slashing a pregnant woman's throat and bashing another woman with a hammer.

Ruka Hemopo, 48, attacked the women in a Porirua house in May last year.

He hit one with a hammer, then cut the other woman's throat with a knife, telling her: "I've got to kill you."

A dispute over cigarettes ignited Hemopo's fury.

Police officers sent to the house Tasered Hemopo and shot him with a pistol.

"You were still attacking the principal victim with a knife when you were shot," Justice Stephen Kos said at Hemopo's sentencing in the High Court at Wellington today.

Hemopo was found guilty following a trial in August of attempted murder and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

This morning, Justice Kos said although Hemopo did not show genuine remorse, his actions on the day of the attack were largely out of character.

Apart from six and a half years for attempted murder, Hemopo was sentenced to four years and four months' imprisonment for wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He will serve the sentences concurrently.

Justice Kos said Hemopo had a mental disorder which manifested itself in "persecutory beliefs and jealous delusions".

The disorder was intermittent but most often sparked by alcohol abuse or stress.

Justice Kos considered sentencing Hemopo to serve his term at a hospital. But he said under current law, Hemopo was deemed "impaired but not currently disordered" so could not avoid going to jail.

"As therapy is more important in the long-term public interest than punishment, I'm unconvinced that that is the preferable course," the judge said.

"But it is the only course open to me under the present legislation."

Crown prosecutor Harriet Goodhew said a sentencing discount of 10 to 15 per cent was appropriate considering the mental disorder and Hemopo's limited conviction history.

Hemopo had two assault convictions in 2009 and 2010 but had never before been to prison. He also had four drink-driving convictions.

Hemopo sacked five different lawyers before deciding to represent himself