A three-day alcohol bender in celebration of a Blenheim man's birthday ended with him seriously assaulting his partner in front of a child.
Carlos Meihana Makatea, 27, was sentenced to 12 months in prison after he admitted assault with intent to injure, assaulting a female, intentional damage, two breaches of a protection order and two breaches of intensive supervision on November 10. He was not eligible to apply for home detention.
Defence lawyer Philip Watson said the incident came after a three-day drinking session to celebrate his birthday on November 7.
While that was no excuse for Makatea's behaviour, it showed he had a "chronic" alcohol problem, Mr Watson said.
Judge Bruce Davidson said Makatea became angry during an argument with the victim and punched her several times in the head.
He then punched a door before punching her again in a "nasty and violent" attack in front of a child.
Makatea's attack broke her nose and left her with bruising and swollen eyes.
He told police she deserved it.
Mr Watson said Makatea had written a letter to the victim and the judge and was remorseful for his actions.
He was also serving previous sentences of community detention, was progressing well with intensive supervision and started a sentence of community work he received for two drink-driving charges last year.
Judge Davidson said Makatea started a two-year alcohol treatment programme in 2008, but relapsed in March and April last year.
The victim of the assault, who has been in an on-and-off relationship with Makatea for four years, said in her victim impact statement that she intended to move away from Blenheim for her safety, the judge said.
- The Marlborough Express
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