Man who drove into partner jailed

File photo / Martin Sykes

A New Plymouth man has been jailed after he drove his car into his partner and three-year-old child in a pram.

Ryan Mark Hopkins, 25, unemployed, appeared in the New Plymouth District Court where he admitted six charges, including assaulting his partner with a weapon, threatening grievous bodily harm, twice driving while disqualified, and trespass.

Judge Allan Roberts said Hopkins on May 9 had tried to stop his partner from going to her mother's home with their three-year-old son in a pram by driving onto the footpath and forcing her to get out of the way, the Taranaki Daily News reported.

"Your offending against this woman was unrelenting," Judge Roberts said.

He then drove into the back of her legs when she walked away.

Hopkins' lawyer, Paul Keegan, said Hopkins had already spent a month in custody and the relationship was completely over.

Judge Roberts said Hopkins had a history of domestic assault and of his 10 previous convictions 50 per cent were domestic related.

Hopkins was sentenced to 13-1/2 months' jail, disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to attend courses to address domestic violence issues.

- NZPA