Punching sister earns supervision for detainee

Photo / File

A man was sentenced to six months' supervision and 80 hours of community work after he breached his home detention conditions and assaulted his sister at her Raetihi home.

Steven Charles Pui appeared in the Whanganui District Court on Tuesday and faced 10 charges, including male assaults female and breaching home detention.

Police prosecutor Drew Morrison told the court that Steven Charles Pui punched his sister in the face.

"At about 8pm, Thursday 10 May 2018, the defendant was addressed at Raetihi. He was on home detention at the address which is rented by his sister who is the victim in this matter," Morrison said.

"The victim and the defendant were drinking alcohol, both consumed a considerable amount, an argument started over family issues and the defendant became angry, punching a wall twice, before punching the victim once in the face."

Morrison said that when police arrived at the scene, the victim had a mark on her left cheek, dried blood on her nose and that Pui had said his sister had caused the issue.

Anna Brosnahan appeared as the defence for Pui.

"In respect of the male assaults female, sir, Mr Pui has very limited history in terms of violence. He has extensive history elsewhere, but nothing of this nature," she said.

"It seems that supervision would be the appropriate response to this offending."

Judge Chris Sygrove concluded that a sentence of six months and 80 hours' community work was appropriate.