Man's history of violence culminates in prison

A man with a history of violence has been sent to jail.

A Rotorua man with a "troubling" history of violence has been sent to jail.

Daniel Noel Wells, 25, was sentenced in the Rotorua District Court yesterday to a total of 18 months' prison after previously pleading guilty to drink driving, assault, assault with intent to injure, possession of an offensive weapon, breach of protection order and threatening to kill.

Judge James Weir said Wells had 20 previous violence convictions dating back to 2007, which he described as a "really troubling history".

Judge Weir said a clue to that might be the registered owner of the motorbike Wells was riding when caught drink driving - the Filthy Few Motorcycle Club.

The judge said Wells got into an argument with family members on June 3. He took his 2-year-old daughter and tried to leave, but family tried to stop him as he was intoxicated. Wells grabbed a male family member by the throat and squeezed it. After being wrestled to the ground he got up, grabbed a wine bottle and approached the man holding it over his shoulder. He then headbutted the man.

In a separate incident on October 7, Wells was at his partner's home, who had a protection order against him. "You had an argument with her mother over something quite bizarre. You accused her of eating your dinner," the judge said. When his partner said she would call police if he didn't calm down, Wells threatened to kill her and burn the house down. He then threatened to kill himself.

Judge Weir jailed Wells for three months for drink driving, six months for the assaults and possession of an offensive weapon and nine months for threatening to kill and breaching the protection order. "I think everyone needs a rest from you and your activities."