A Whangarei man who persistently abused and assaulted his partner for six years has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in jail.
The 34-year-old earlier pleaded guilty and appeared for sentencing in the Whangarei District Court this week on three charges of injuring with intent to injure, three of assault with intent to injure, three of male assaults female and single charges of wounding with intent to injure and burglary.
Judge Keith de Ridder said the man hit his partner on 10 occasions, including throwing washing powder on her which led to her being unable to breath.
On the first occasion, he repeatedly hit her on the ear after an argument which caused her considerable pain.
In 2007, while at her mother's house, he punched her once on her forehead and the wound required stitches.