Jail again for hitting ex-partner

Whanganui District Court

A man who punched his ex-partner in the face because she ignored him, and told her to "tell everyone what that was for" is going to prison.

Michael Vincent Waitokia pleaded guilty in Whanganui District Court to two charges of breaching a protection order and one of male assaults female.

The pair have nine children together - three are older than 17 and have left home, three live with their mother victim, and three have been adopted out.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Stephen Butler said the victim was "at a neighbour's place having a few drinks" on August 16 when Waitokia turned up "unexpectedly" and tried to speak to her.

She ignored him and he followed her home and entered the house. An argument broke out and Waitokia punched her in the right eye, saying "Do you understand what that was for? You tell everyone what that was for," Mr Butler said.

She suffered bruising to her right eye.

Waitokia returned on August 18, still agitated, and wanted her to get him a joint.

The following day Waitokia took their children and was reported to have had a gun and to have been looking for her.

He was arrested on August 22.

Judge David Cameron said Waitokia had a "very extensive criminal history" beginning in 1989, particularly for breaching the same protection order.

These latest convictions marked his fifth and sixth time for breaching that protection order.

Waitokia had been jailed twice for hitting his ex-partner: Four months for assault with a blunt instrument and three months in 2012 for male assaults female.

Judge Cameron sentenced Waitokia to six months in prison.