Beatings land schizophrenic in jail

A SCHIZOPHRENIC is now serving a prison sentence after beating his partner and nine-month-old boy.
In the Wanganui District Court yesterday, Hanz William Michael Browne, 41, invalid beneficiary of Parikino, admitted two charges of threatening to kill, two of assaulting a female and one of assaulting a child.
It was feared the baby suffered concussion after the punch, while his partner suffered multiple bruises and grazes to her arms, legs, head and face.
Browne explained to lawyer Jacinda Younger the blow to the baby was an accident and was intended for his partner. Both were admitted to Wanganui Hospital for a few hours. During the course of the assault Browne himself suffered a suspected fracture to his thumb.
On May 15, during an argument Browne had grabbed a hammer and held it above his head and punched his partner about the head and kicked her around her legs and arms. The woman was unable to defend herself as she was holding, and trying to protect, their nine-month-old baby.
Then on May 27, another argument erupted with Browne punching the woman's face.
The woman picked up the nine-month-old boy and walked outside.
Browne followed and punched the woman again and on the second punch struck the baby to the left side of his head instead of his partner.
Browne's partner was so distressed she ran from Browne, who yelled he would hunt her down and kill both her and the baby.
Browne caught up with the woman and again punched her around the head.
When questioned by police Browne said he "just lost my cool".
Ms Younger said Browne, a schizophrenic, had contacted the Waimarino Mental Health Centre after the first assault, but was put on a waiting list.
"Help didn't come quick enough, but it is no criticism on the part of mental health.
"It was unforeseen it was going to happen again," Ms Younger told Judge John Clapham.
However, after the second assault, Browne was immediately seen by the Raetihi-based centre.
Ms Younger said Browne and his partner had moved to the isolated area of Parikino three years ago and he had talked about tensions rising.
"Knowing that this tension was beginning, the defendant had no skills in how to deal with that tension," she told the court.
The first assault was also just before he was due for his monthly medication.
His partner had also noted Browne had changed slightly after his medication was changed three months before the incidents.
Ms Younger said the baby was "simply a victim of circumstance" as the punch was intended for his mother.
Although the couple were now separated and a protection order is in place, a reconciliation was not completely ruled out by both parties, she said.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Stephen Butler said the injury Browne suffered in the assaults was an aggravating feature and proved the viciousness of the attack.
Judge Clapham noted Browne's remorse, state of health, co-operation with police, and that the victim didn't hate Browne ? just what he did.
If it wasn't for the woman noting Browne's change in behaviour in recent months due to his medication, Judge Clapham said that he was in no doubt he would send Browne behind bars for a very lengthy time.
Judge Clapham convicted Browne on all charges and sentenced him to a term of 10 months in prison.