Pensioner bashed wife over dinner

A Featherston pensioner ended up in court after punching his 70-year-old wife following a row about his dinner.

Neil Ernest Goad, 72, was convicted yesterday in Masterton District Court of assault.

Senior sergeant Garry Wilson said an argument had arose about Goad's dinner on November 19, 2012, which resulted at him shouting at his wife and calling her names.

Goad then punched her three times on her left shoulder with a clenched fist.

The victim sustained bruising as a result of the assault and Mr Wilson said she was in discomfort for a number of days.

When Goad was later asked by police to explain his actions he told them he had punched her "because she was driving him up the wall". Goad also maintained he had only hit her once.

Lawyer Peter Stevens told Judge Tony Walsh that his client had a number of medical issues. He said the defendant had an operation on his lung recently and he added that Goad has suffered from diabetes for a number of years and was not very mobile.

"He spends most of his time in the lazy boy [chair] or in his wheelchair," Mr Stevens said.

The lawyer said an application for a protection order had been made by the victim and the couple were no longer living together.

He described the appearance of Goad, who had never been before the courts, as a "sad occasion".

Judge Walsh said it was clear from the victim impact statement that she was frightened of the defendant.

He described the violence used by the accused to intimidate her as unacceptable.

"The court must give a clear indication to the community that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated," Judge Walsh said.

He ordered Goad to pay court costs of $132.89 and deferred sentencing for 12 months.