Partner held by throat

A man who held his partner down by the throat was sentenced to community work and supervision when he appeared in the Whanganui District Court this week on a charge of assault.

Dean Michael Ratana pleaded guilty to a charge of male assaults female, relating to an incident on February 22.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Drew Morrison said Ratana had been in a on-off relationship with the complainant for about 10 years and the pair had a 5-year-old son together.

Ratana did not live with his partner and son, but occasionally stayed at their house to help with the care of his son, Mr Morrison said.

He said that on February 22 Ratana was sleeping and his partner attempted to wake him, asking him to help look after their son. He responded by kicking and punching her.

"She locked him out of the house but left the front door unlocked. Mr Ratana entered through this door and held his partner down by the throat," Mr Morrison said.

Ratana's lawyer Mark Bullock said Ratana acknowledged he needed help with his anger problems.

Judge Bridget Mackintosh noted Ratana did not have a history of extensive violence, though he was convicted of common assault in 2006.

She sentenced him to 80 hours' community work and nine months' supervision.