A judge has reprimanded a Dunedin man for his "appalling history of violence" after he assaulted a 6-year-old boy for reportedly flicking faeces at another child.
At 7pm on March 28, Deane Martin Ellison (57) was having dinner with associates when he overheard a child in the bathroom had committed the dirty act, the Dunedin District Court heard yesterday.
Grabbing the young boy by the arm, Ellison took him to the bedroom and locked the door behind them.
The defendant reprimanded the child before using his right hand to strike him across the buttocks with an open palm.
The force of the blow knocked the boy on to the bed where the assault continued.
Five further blows were delivered, only ceasing when the boy’s mother interrupted by banging on the door, instructing Ellison to stop.
The child suffered red marks to his buttocks from the attack.
When spoken to by police, Ellison admitted smacking the boy six times as he thought it was "reasonable punishment".
"He assaults a 6-year-old ... how many years has the anti-smacking law been enforced?", Judge Michael Turner asked.
"It’s not that he is not aware of the anti-smacking laws," counsel Sophia Thorburn said.
"He simply lost his temper."
Ellison had been struggling with his mental health at the time of the incident, the court heard, but had since found appropriate assistance and realised his actions were "wrong".
"You need to try to address your distorted thinking," Judge Turner said.
Ellison was sentenced to six weeks’ community detention and nine months’ supervision.
Erin Cox, PIJF court reporter
