A Taranaki man who was found to be carrying nearly three times the daily pāua limit gave the fisheries officer the wrong address and later answered his door in disguise, a court has heard.
The victim lost consciousness and fell backwards into a bush. About two months later, Teanini became paranoid that she was cheating on him. He picked up a pillow and held it over her face, applying so much pressure she could not breathe, and told her: “You are lucky I don’t kill you; you make me that angry.” On another occasion, he accused her of being unfaithful, lifted her by her throat against the wall and said: “Why do you always make me so jealous?” Her feet were not touching the ground, she could not breathe and became light-headed. After releasing her, he asked: “Why do you make me do this?”
Man tells partner she s lucky he doesn t kill her, New Plymouth court hears stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The victim swore at Maxwell then headed to her bedroom, where she threw items at the walls. They began to verbally abuse one another while in their separate rooms. Maxwell then grabbed a golf club she had in her room and headed to the victim’s bedroom. A confrontation occurred, and Maxwell repeatedly struck the victim in the head with the club, causing her head to split open and bleed profusely. “The defendant struck the victim numerous times to her head, striking her as hard as she could,” the summary said. Maxwell also repeatedly hit the woman’s body with the club, leaving large raised welts. The pattern of the golf club head could be seen on her leg.
Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
The former officer appeared in the New Plymouth District Court today after completing police diversion.
The court heard the then 24-year-old was working at the New Plymouth watchhouse in December when the cash was handed in and they paid a reward to the person who brought it in.
The officer returned home with the money, but after discussing the situation with their grandparents had second thoughts, and confessed about the theft to a senior officer the following day.
Susan Hughes QC, who represented the former officer, said they were isolated at work and had unresolved psychological and emotional issues leading up to the offending.