Domestic incident could have led to death, says judge

A domestic incident in Blenheim on Monday morning could have easily resulted in a homicide, a judge has warned.

Hours later in the Blenheim District Court, Judge Richard Russell remanded Hocquard Macdonald Finlay, 20, in custody until March 8 for a pre-sentence report to be completed.

Finlay is facing an assault charge after he allegedly forced his partner to the ground, pulled her hair, dragged her outside, attempted to strangle her and threatened her with a butter knife during an argument at her Brewer St home about 7.30am.

"This could have easily resulted in serious injury or homicide," Judge Russell told the Blenheim builder.

"Research has shown that a number of domestic homicides start this way."

- The Marlborough Express