Man who kicked partner, baby jailed

A judge has jailed a Northland man who kicked his partner and baby after an argument, saying society has had enough of such abuse.

Michael Luke, from Whangarei, was sentenced in Whangarei District Court to 12 months imprisonment after attacking his partner at his home on July 9, the Northern Advocate reported.

Police said he chased the woman outside after an argument before pushing her to the ground while she clutched their five-month-old daughter.

Luke kicked the woman in the face several times and forced her head to the ground with his foot, and also kicked the baby in the head during the attack.

Even though he may not have deliberately targeted the baby, Luke, who had previous convictions for violence, was lucky not to have killed her, Judge Duncan Harvey said.

"The community has had enough of domestic violence," he said. "The community has had enough of children dying as a result of this type of behaviour." He said women were also dying and a "very strong message needs to be sent".

Judge Harvey said others involved in domestic violence, particularly with past records, could expect jail terms.

- NZPA