Woman still fearful after attacker jailed
A Christchurch woman remains fearful for her safety when the man who effectively kidnapped, threatened and stabbed her is eventually released from jail.
She was in the Christchurch District Court to see 43-year-old Barton John Whitta jailed for three years nine months.
He has apologised to the woman and was willing to go through a restorative justice meeting, but Judge Gary MacAskill said: “She was in fear during the incident and has on-going concerns for her safety.”
The issue was raised by Crown prosecutor Kathy Basire who told the court the woman was present for Whitta’s sentencing on charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving. A charge of kidnapping was dropped when Whitta pleaded guilty in May.
Miss Basire told the court: “She’s still concerned about what happens when he is released from prison.”
The judge considered her concerns and imposed a minimum non-parole term which means Whitta will have to serve two years’ jail before the Parole Board can consider him for release.
Whitta was arrested after a jealousy-fuelled violent incident in April.
Defence counsel Tim Fournier said Whitta had handed himself in to the police after the incident and had pleaded guilty. A psychiatric report had since been prepared and indicated he had serious anger management problems and a poor ability to cope with stress. “He expresses a strong desire to engage in treatment for violence and alcohol abuse.”
Judge MacAskill said Whitta had approached his partner at a tavern where she had been playing on the poker machines. There was an argument during which Whitta produced a knife, telling her, “If I can’t have you, no-one will.”
He forced her into a car and drove them from the tavern into Maces Road, Bromley, where he lost control and crashed after threatening to drive them into a tree. Outside the car after the crash, he grabbed the woman and tried to stab her in the stomach several times, but only one blow penetrated her jacket causing a 5mm wound.
He then threatened to kill himself, but drove her to his home where she was able to leave.
Judge MacAskill noted Whitta’s convictions included rape, six assaults, threatening, and possession of an offensive weapon.
He was assessed as a high risk. He was diagnosed as having borderline and anti-social personality traits, which led to “anger discontrol”, and sensitivity to perceived rejection. He would benefit from psychological intervention and was already having some counselling.
Category: News
Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
Connect
Connect with us via: