Man who pulled knife given 14 week sentence

Masterton man Paul Campbell was sentenced to 14 weeks jail after pulling a knife on his former partner, and her children.

A man who pulled a knife on his former partner, and her children, after a heated argument was sentenced to 14 weeks behind bars.

Paul Campbell, of Masterton, had previously pleaded guilty to breaching a protection order.

On June 20 Campbell and the woman had an argument.

Campbell's yelling scared her children and she asked him to leave. During the argument Campbell spilt a cup of coffee on the floor and was asked to clean it up.

He went to the kitchen and returned with a knife wrapped in a towel, with the blade poking out.

Defence lawyer Jock Blathwayt said Campbell had been invited to the woman's house and had left when he realised he was not welcome.

Mr Blathwayt said Campbell is undergoing counselling and is happy to continue with it.

"He's anxious to get his life back in order."

Judge Tony Walsh said the woman and children had been frightened by Campbell's actions.

"They thought at the time you were going to kill them with the knife."

Judge Walsh said Campbell had a bad history of criminal offending, with 80 previous convictions, 15 of which were related to violent offending.

Campbell has received 43 prison sentences.

"There is a high likelihood you'll reoffend."

Judge Walsh said Campbell admitted using bad judgement but claimed he never intended to use the knife.

"The children were traumatised by what happened, the victim was clearly frightened by what you did."