Man sentenced for years of abuse

A Bay company director who violently assaulted his former partner over a period of more than four years has been sentenced to 12 months' home detention and 300 hours' community work.

Stephen Barry Wilson, 54, who owns Tyre Works (NZ) Ltd operating businesses in Rotorua and Mt Maunganui, was sentenced in Tauranga District Court yesterday on eight charges after a jury trial last August.

Wilson was also ordered to pay $25,000 reparation to his victim, Kathryn Coyle, within 28 days.

A jury found Wilson guilty of two charges each of male assaults female and injuring with intent to injure, plus one charge each of assault with a weapon, burglary and intentional damage.

Sentencing was delayed because Wilson suffered a heart attack shortly after the trial, had undergone a triple bypass and remained under specialist supervision, the court was told.

The offences, which took place between 2007 and 2011, included Wilson punching the victim in face and dragging her across the bed by her hair, resulting in two black eyes and a clump of hair pulled from her scalp along with bruising.

On another occasion, Wilson hit the victim around the head and body with a broomstick, again resulting in blackened eyes, headaches and bruising, and in a third instance he broke into her house and destroyed treasured personal items.

The Crown sought a jail sentence but Wilson's lawyer, Lester Cordwell, argued for home detention. Mr Cordwell urged Judge Peter Rollo to take into account Wilson's genuine remorse, his willingness to attend a restorative justice meeting, his "exemplary" past character, and significant contribution to the community, as confirmed in a raft of testimonials.

Mr Cordwell said the consequences of a prison sentence would be financially catastrophic, not only for Wilson but all his employees, and may well put his health at further risk.

Judge Rollo said notwithstanding the role the victim may have played in "pushing his buttons" as Wilson described it to the court, "it did not in any way excuse his violent behaviour".

"The practical effect for Ms Coyle has been significantly devastating, not just the loss of valued items but the loss of a valued relationship and it has taken a significant toll on her physically, emotionally, and financially," the judge said.

But Judge Rollo said after taking into account all the mitigating factors, he was prepared to step back from a prison term. He also ordered a final protection order, which means Wilson is barred from having any contact with his victim.