An Auckland doctor hoping to be accepted into a programme to become a surgeon has escaped conviction for repeatedly assaulting his wife and threatening to kill her.
Oliver Rose appeared in the Rotorua District Court on three charges of assaulting a female, all relating to his wife.
He was employed at Rotorua Hospital at the time of the offences but left the region to work for the Auckland District Health Board before the charges were brought against him.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Bill Scott read out the summary of facts, detailing the three offences which Rose had pleaded guilty to in August.
Mr Scott said that in January this year, Rose dragged his wife outside to the ground where he repeatedly kicked her in the back of the leg, leaving her with serious bruises.
In February, Rose had grabbed his wife by her hair and repeatedly slapped her on both sides of her face.
In a third incident, in June, Rose threatened his wife, saying he would kill her if she had been with another man. He pushed her to the bed then held a beanie over her face.
"There has been three offences, therefore there is a pattern of behaviour here. He has significant issues with power and control," Mr Scott told the court.
Rose's lawyer, Andy Schulze, said the incidents were all committed when Rose was having problems.
Rose suspected his wife was having an affair, which led to his developing a relationship outside his marriage. There had also been three deaths in his family, including that of his mother.
Rose hoped to become an ear, nose and throat surgeon, Mr Schulze said, and a conviction might affect his acceptance into the programme and it might also have implications for his present employment.
Judge Phillip Cooper said the offences were not minor but were not in the most serious category either.
He said the stresses in Rose and his wife's relationship were apparent as well as a "series of unfortunate events" including the deaths of three family members and the burglary of their home.
Judge Cooper said Rose's wife did not wish her husband to lose what he - with her help - had worked so hard to achieve. However, she did not want Rose to think his behaviour towards her was acceptable.
"It seems to me your behaviour was out of character, with a background of particular stress, both marital and personal, and I accept Mr Schulze's submission that you are at a low risk of reoffending.
"It is fair to say any conviction is going to impact adversely on your employment."
Judge Cooper discharged Rose without conviction and ordered him to pay $3000 to the prosecution.
The Auckland District Health Board said yesterday that it would not comment on individual employees. APN