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A Rotorua man told police he was too drunk to recall a domestic dispute during which he assaulted his mother-in-law.
James Aryan McLeod, 25, Rotorua planter, was yesterday sentenced to six months' jail after earlier pleading guilty to assault with a weapon, possession of an offensive weapon, assaulting a woman, resisting police, drink driving and giving false details.
Police said McLeod had been drinking alcohol at a Sunset Rd property on August 7 this year.
He continued drinking through until the following day and had a sleep that afternoon.
He woke up about 10pm and began arguing with his defacto partner's mother.
McLeod hit the woman over her back with a chair, according to a police summary.
He held the victim against the wall and hit her in the left side of her face.
He left but returned a short time later holding a weapon resembling a samurai sword.
When police arrived and tried to handcuff him there was a scuffle and a police officer was kicked in the shin.
When spoken to by police McLeod could not recall the incident but said he had been drinking Bacardi straight since the previous day.
In a separate incident McLeod was caught drink driving on Old Taupo Rd on July 19.
He gave false details after a breath test showed he had been driving with a level of 483mcg of alcohol per litre of breath.
The legal limit is 400mcg.
Judge Phillip Cooper noted that McLeod had missed out on being at the birth of his child as he was in custody pending the outcome of these matters.
Judge Cooper said often when a young man became a father he realised he had better things to look forward to than a life behind bars.
Judge Cooper said McLeod was remorseful and was prepared to do whatever it took to address his alcohol- related issues.
- DAILY POST
