KEY POINTS:
A 20-year-old Mt Maunganui man lost his temper when his partner called him a "boy," threatening to slit her throat with a knife and later whipping the pregnant woman with a power cord.
The behaviour, after a drinking session, was "completely unacceptable," Judge Christopher Harding told Keegan Ngaroata Bryant in Tauranga District Court today.
Bryant, a painter, pleaded guilty to a charge of threatening to kill, two counts of assaulting a female and one each of intentional damage and possession of an offensive weapon.
Prosecutor, Sergeant Wayne Hunter, said the couple had been in a relationship for a number of years, had a two and a half year old son and were expecting a second child.
Bryant had been drinking in the family's small flat with friends about 9pm on July 20 and his partner asked them to leave. As they did, he began verbally abusing her.
The defendant returned about 2.30am, forcing his way in. When told to get out of the bedroom, he pushed the victim with two hands, causing her to fall back onto the bed.
She followed him into the lounge, still telling him to leave. Bryant grabbed a knife from a block on the bench and threatened to slit her throat.
When his partner tried to call the police, he continually pulled the telephone cord from the wall.
About 7.30am, their son wanted to watch a DVD and another argument started. The defendant picked up a sub-woofer power cord and whipped the victim across the back, leaving a large inflamed welt.
When she again tried to call police, he took another knife from the block and cut the power cord to the portable phone. His partner ran to neighbours.
Mr Hunter said police found Bryant in an agitated state.
Lawyer Liz Jamieson said his behaviour was out of character. A probation report said he was a good father and was remorseful.
Judge Harding sentenced Bryant to 60 hours community work and nine months supervision. He was ordered to pay $100 reparation for damage to the telephone.
- NZPA
