Pumpkin proves deterrent in domestic assault

Gisborne Courthouse. File picture

A MAN broke a broom over his daughter’s partner as he tried to intervene in a domestic dispute, but was then pinned down by the angry attacker.

The situation was brought to an end when the woman struck her partner in the head with a pumpkin.

Wayne Manutai Hira, 43, was sentenced to 13 months imprisonment with release conditions after pleading guilty to assault arising out of that incident, with other separate charges of assaulting a female, obstructing a fisheries officer and two breaches of court bail.

The charge of assault on a female, the lead offence, also involved Hira’s former partner, the mother of his children. It arose from Hira’s unfounded allegations of infidelity and involved him punching the woman four or five times as she sat on a couch with their children.

Counsel Leighvi Maynard said while it sounded inherently grave, the woman suffered no visible injuries, indicative of only a moderate degree of force being used.

Judge Cathcart said nonetheless, the number of blows Hira used was serious.

The other assault charge arose in relation to a roadside argument between Hira and the woman. She flagged down a passing car and sought refuge at her father’s workplace. But Hira followed her there and the argument continued outside.

In an effort to grab her, he ran across the roof of a vehicle. Inside the workplace, he pushed her to the ground.

Her father tried to intervene but was pinned to a table by Hira, who only relented when struck by the pumpkin.

Judge Cathcart noted Hira had previous convictions for violence and had been jailed in 2012 for similar offending against a different complainant.

A car used by Hira in the commission of the fisheries offence ordered to be forfeited.