Woman gets prison term ‘to keep her safe’
A woman who stabbed her partner while he was abusing her was sentenced to seven months’ prison to keep her safe from her partner, her alcoholism, and from people who could supply her with drink.
Michelle Te Aroha Marsh, 43, now has a protection order against her partner, and had to enforce it so that he is on remand in custody for allegedly breaching the order and assaulting her.
Defence counsel Denise Johnston said Marsh had worked with the Family Safety Team, and had the support of the City Mission.
She said Marsh’s partner was constantly stalking her, and was coming to court when she was appearing.
Marsh used excessive self defence while she was being attacked, she said, but the complainant got a short term of community work for abusing her.
Judge Farish said if Marsh was confined to her home on home detention, probation would have no control over who was visiting her, and whether she was being supplied alcohol.
She said Marsh and the complainant had a co-dependent relationship which was subject to violence.
In response to being put in a choker hold and being hit with a frying pan Marsh picked up a knife and stabbed the man causing a 2cm wound to his lower back.
Judge Farish said there was no significant or serious injury, but with their history this was a serious matter.
She said it was far too risky for Marsh to receive a home detention sentence, but encouraged her to follow through with the charges against her partner, and break the situation with him.
She sentenced Marsh to seven months’ prison with six months’ post-release conditions for her to undertake any treatment or counselling her probation officer recommended.
Marsh was prepared for the prison sentence and collected her packed bags before she was led away by the Department of Corrections staff.
Category: News
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