Jail for ‘potentially serious’ assault
A Christchurch man has been jailed for 13 months for an attack on a woman that could have caused serious injury.
“One has to take into account the potential seriousness arising from his actions,” said Christchurch District Court Judge John Strettell as he jailed 26-year-old Hamish Luke Linton for a total of 13 months.
The attack took place when he and the woman argued at a backpacker hostel on a trip to Wellington to attend a concert.
They had been drinking and when the argument developed, Linton took the woman’s handbag, cellphone, and a bottle of wine. He grabbed her around the neck and applied pressure to her throat, causing her to gag.
When she pushed him away and kicked at him to stop the choking, she ran away down the stairs. The court was told Linton then “forcibly propelled” her down the stairs. When she landed in a heap, Linton picked up her phone, made a derogatory comment, stepped over her and left.
The woman left with bruises to her body, and clear thumb-prints around her neck.
Judge Strettell said any assaults involving the throat were seen as serious and pushing the woman down the stairs could have had a devastating effect. “Serious injuries and consequences were potentially the result on this occasion.”
Linton pleaded guilty to assaulting the woman with intent to injure her, stealing her cellphone, and shoplifting packs of venison, bacon, and eggs from supermarkets.
Defence counsel Craig Fletcher said Linton had drunk more than the usual amount of alcohol on the weekend of the assault. He said that upon Linton’s release from prison, he would have employment available as a labourer, but wished to return to work on fishing boats.
The judge noted Linton had a serious history of previous offending including assaults and shoplifting. He had already gone through a rehabilitation programme.
He imposed jail terms totalling 13 months and ordered him to pay reparation of $180 for the woman’s cellphone which was stolen and then thrown away.
Category: News
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