'Devil' drinker sentenced to four months in prison

A man has been jailed for his alcohol-fuelled 'devil' behaviour Photo / File

A Rotorua man who is described as being "the devil" when drinking has been sentenced to four months in prison.

Richard Rautjoki, 48, appeared in Rotorua District Court yesterday where he had previously pleaded guilty to charges of assaulting a female and breaching a protection order.

According to the police summary of facts, on June 6 he was at his Rotorua home with his partner. An argument broke out and he consequently punched her in the eye.

On July 12 he went to his partner's home, while on bail with the condition to stay away from her. He punched a bedroom window, smashing the glass.

On both occasions, alcohol had been consumed.

His lawyer, Kathy Jackson, said the sentencing report described him as a "meek and mild person".

"I can attest to that, he has always been extremely polite but clearly he needs help, that's the top and tail of it all," she said.

"He has bought a house which is being rented ... but he takes one step forward then takes back five.

"Clearly alcohol is the demon and it makes him the devil."

Judge Phillip Cooper read the victim's impact statement to the court which said, when sober, Rautjoki was an "intelligent, quiet and even shy person".

"When he drinks too much, he changes. It is the only time he becomes physically and verbally abusive," his partner wrote.

"He is a very good man at heart but alcohol brings out the worst in him."

In sentencing, Judge Cooper said until Rautjoki dealt with his drinking issues, he posed a risk to his partner and to his own health.

Rautjoki was sentenced to four months in prison and on release ordered to serve six months on special conditions with probation to help with his alcohol problem.