My violence was wrong, man admits

Reon David Skeet was convicted of male assaults female and received a 12-month suspended sentence.

A stopping-violence programme is something every young man entering a relationship should take part in, a 20-year-old Masterton man who assaulted his partner says.

Appearing before Judge Andrew Becroft in the Masterton District Court for sentencing yesterday on a charge of male assaults female, Reon David Skeet was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if he re-offended in the next year.

He assaulted his partner, punching her while driving, then stopped the car and pulled her from it.

Lawyer James Elliott said Skeet had undergone the Stopping Violence Services Wairarapa programme and had "gained a lot from it".

Skeet told the court he had found the course beneficial to the point he knew if he ever had a daughter he wouldn't want her to experience domestic violence: "I have definitely learned a lesson ... I knew as it happened I was wrong."

Skeet needed a chance to put into action what he had learned, Mr Elliott said in submissions.

"He's talked the talk, now he needs the chance to walk the walk."

Judge Becroft handed Skeet a 12-month suspended sentence, and warned about future domestic-violence charges.

"You have said good words today, put those words into action."

Outside court, Skeet told the Times-Age he wanted to lead the way for other men. He said the course he attended was vital to combat domestic violence.

"It's a really good programme, something all young men should do so they will know how their behaviour affects their partner. It teaches you a different way to deal with your anger.

"It's a choice to be violent. It's how we react that matters," he said.

Through the course, men learned how to behave positively when things went wrong, rather than using violence.

"You learn what the early warning signs are and how to deal with conflict. It's all about communication. If you are getting angry you need to call time out."