Man faces judge for violent attack on ex-partner

A Rangitīkei man has impressed a judge with his efforts at rehabilitation and has escaped a jail term for his “relatively prolonged” assault on his former partner.

Nada Hotu appeared in the Marton District Court on Wednesday for sentencing on charges of assault with intent to injure, threatening behaviour and an unrelated drink-driving offence.

Supported by his whānau and letters that described him as a polite, humble and hardworking man, Hotu stood quietly as the judge spoke of his offending.

Judge Justin Marinovich said the incident occurred one evening in August after Hotu’s former partner asked him to be quiet while he was speaking loudly on the phone.

Hotu put his hands on the woman’s throat but she pushed these away before he pinned her against the wall.

He then punched her twice in the forehead, and threw further punches that she managed to avoid. After threatening her, the judge said Hotu threw his victim back and forth against a wall. She punched him in the face before he walked away and she phoned police.

She told the court she suffered bruising and soreness, but did not require ongoing medical attention or counselling.

She said she no longer wanted a protection order and had the support of her whānau.

Judge Marinovich said Hotu’s work references described him as a valued member of their team and someone who had a good work ethic. He had engaged with rehabilitation programmes and staff there said he was doing well, and was a “very polite and helpful” man.

But the judge said family violence was also something “this court took seriously”.

The incident was a “relatively prolonged period of violence” and the strikes to the woman’s head elevated its seriousness.

The judge set a starting point of 18 months in jail, but allowed discounts for Hotu’s guilty pleas and efforts to address his issues.

He also had no previous family violence convictions. This swayed the judge to commuting his sentence to five months’ community detention, with a curfew.