Jail term for trying to strangle partner

Whata began squeezing is partner around her neck and placed her in a choker hold as she tried to break free. Photo / Thinkstock

A Rotorua man who semi-strangled his partner before smashing his neighbour's door down has been sentenced to more than two years' jail.

William James Whata, 35, appeared before Judge Chris McGuire in the Rotorua District Court last week for sentencing on charges of injuring with intent to injure and intentional damage.

According to the police summary of facts, Whata was drinking at his Fairy Springs home with his partner and three associates on September 10. They had consumed four 18-can boxes of Cody's Bourbon and Cola.

"When the associates left you continued to drink then began victimising the partner, calling her a liar and she was cheating on you," Judge McGuire said.

"She was sitting on a bed in the corner and you were standing in front of her when you lunged at her. Your elbow struck her right eye while you yelled, 'Want me to f***** choke you? Don't scream for help'."

Whata began squeezing her around her neck and placed her in a choker hold as she tried to break free.

"She had decided to play dead and went limp and you let her go. You said to her, 'Maybe I should just kill you'. You later went to the kitchen to get something to eat while the victim ran to the neighbour's house who let her in and closed the front door."

Seconds later, Whata smashed through the door and entered the house yelling for the victim to come out.

"Children were in the house ... they were screaming and were extremely terrified. The neighbour grabbed her children, ran onto the road and flagged someone down to call the police."

The victim suffered severe bruising and swelling to her eye but refused medical attention at the time.

Whata had previously received a head injury but a psychological report stated his history of domestic violence pre-dated his injury.

His lawyer Martin Hine said his client was someone clearly needing help and questioned whether he would access that in custody.

"I cannot risk anything further going wrong with you in the near future," Judge McGuire said. "A term of imprisonment has to be the outcome for today."

Whata was sentenced to two years nine months' prison and ordered to pay $251.43 reparation for damage to the door.