Bin used to block axe blow

A woman managed to push a wheelie bin between herself and the axe wielded by her incensed former partner who found her in bed with her new boyfriend.

She dodged away and the axe ended up going through the lid of the wheelie bin, the New Plymouth District Court heard yesterday.

David Anthony Maunsell, 24, formerly of Upper Hutt, pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon, possession of the axe and threatening behaviour at his former partner's home in Upper Hutt on November 2 and 6 last year.

He later told the police he was just trying to scare the new partner.

Judge Allan Roberts said Maunsell had been swearing and ranting and holding the axe horizontally with both hands. The potential for serious injury was very real.Maunsell's former partner told the court in a victim impact statement that she did not want him to go to jail but that she had been alarmed when he confronted her with the axe.

Maunsell also admitted breaking into a Ford Telstar on January 11 in Lower Hutt stealing $1000 worth of items from inside.

And in New Plymouth on June 6, Maunsell admitted he again broke into a car in Westown.

Maunsell, who had $13,560 in outstanding fines, showed little remorse, the judge said.

Maunsell was sentenced to nine months jail and his outstanding fines were remitted.

Quintin King, 23, also known as Pue, pleaded guilty to assaulting his partner at their Waitara home on July 5 in front of their young children.

The judge said King had told him his partner was the love of his life.

"Men who love their women don't beat them," the judge said.

King was given two months imprisonment and his $510 fines were remitted.

- © Fairfax NZ News