Ex-teacher's jail sentence reduced to six months

Former teacher Shiu Nadan, 52, was sentenced to 10 months' jail by Judge Jocelyn Munro in the Rotorua District Court on May 6.
That sentence was reduced to six months by Justice Judith Potter on appeal in the High Court at Rotorua yesterday.
Nadan had previously admitted to one count of possession of a weapon, one of assaulting his wife, one of assault and three of threatening to do grievous bodily harm to his wife and teenage stepdaughters. He also admitted a charge of driving while disqualified.
Nadan's lawyer, Alistair Burns, appealed the sentence on the grounds it was "manifestly unjust and excessive".
He told Justice Potter yesterday that Nadan had a lack of previous offending and had accepted responsibility for what he had done at an early stage.
Mr Burns said an appropriate sentence was a period of community or home detention, coupled with 12 months' supervision to ensure Nadan undertook the rehabilitation required and ensure protection for Nadan's wife and family.
Justice Potter said the Crown had submitted that while the 10-month prison term was stern, it was a sentence which was available to the court.
The judge said she had given this case anxious consideration.
"I have concluded that in all the circumstances imprisonment cannot be criticised as being manifestly excessive."
However, Justice Potter said, the length of the prison term imposed was excessive.
She said the victims did not suffer any physical injuries and Nadan had a limited previous criminal record.
Justice Potter quashed the sentence of 10 months' jail and sentenced Nadan to six months' jail instead.
On February 8, when Nadan was drinking at home, he became enraged and argued with his wife.
He kicked her in the legs, they argued about her children and he threatened to slit his stepdaughter's throat and hang her up in the house.
He also threatened to kill his son from his first marriage, then drove off to buy more beer.
Mr Burns had asked the court to consider the cultural aspect of the offending in sentencing his client.
He said Nadan had been offended by his stepdaughter's dress and her refusal to be enrolled at school under his name.
Nadan was told during sentencing that his cultural beliefs had no place in this country and Judge Munro had said there was no place in New Zealand society for such offending.
The Daily Post publishes a picture of Nadan for the first time today after his lawyer abandoned an appeal against it being published.