A 44-year-old Hamilton man who beat his young girlfriend around her body with a studded belt has been sent to prison.

David Tamaki Wilson will now 12 and-a-half months in prison after being sentenced on charges of assault with a weapon (belt), and two charges of threatening to kill in the Hamilton District Court today.

Wilson was with his 21-year-old, now former, girlfriend on March 1 when an argument erupted and Wilson began hitting her with the belt, which had been folded in half, at least six times around body.

He then slapped her around the face and threatened to kill her.

The victim suffered bruising to her legs, arms and face. Wilson was arrested and bailed.

On April 4, Wilson saw the victim in town and followed her and ended up threatening her again.

Judge Merelina Burnett couldn't understand what the victim saw in Wilson.

''The victim is your former partner, she is only young, 21. Where it is that she is with a man, an older man, who is violent to her, quite frankly is something that is staggering.''

Judge Burnett said the victim was unsurprisingly frightened after the incident.

Judge Burnett accepted Wilson had expressed remorse his temper often wanes and waves due to his alcohol and drug problem.

Wilson was at a high risk of reoffending, she said.

- © Fairfax NZ News