Matthew Stuart McCormack’s attack, in which he impeded his partner’s breathing for a minute and bit her face, left her "looking over her shoulder" in the aftermath, the Dunedin District Court heard yesterday.
The 39-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to strangulation and assault in a family relationship — his first convictions.
On March 16, he was drinking wine with his partner when a disagreement arose.
"The defendant stormed around the house with a hammer and a screwdriver," a police summary said.
He used the tools to smash holes in walls, then led his youngest child into the lounge.
Holding a pair of scissors, the defendant pretended to stab himself while yelling at his partner that it was her fault.
"The family watching you lose the plot, seeing you walking around the property, smashing it up, must’ve been a frightening experience," Judge David Ruth said.
And the violence was just beginning.
McCormack pushed the woman backwards on to a couch and straddled her as she lay on her back. As he forced his hand against her mouth to prevent her calling for help, he also pressed against her nose, causing her to struggle for breath for about a minute, the court heard.
While her nose bled "heavily", McCormack then bit her on the eyebrow and ear.
Desperation kicked in once he realised police were on their way.
"The defendant attempted to clean up blood from the floor. He threw the victim a towel and instructed her to clean herself up, which she did," court documents said.
When officers arrived, they found the couple’s three children in their pyjamas, hiding in a shed at the back of the property.
McCormack told them the victim had "bumped her nose on the wall".
The woman told the court she had since sold the house, but remained concerned the defendant may turn up at her home.
Judge Ruth said the fact McCormack was planning to move to Central Otago may provide her some comfort.
He noted the strangulation charge was different from most such cases that came before the court, but was driven by the same goal.
"It’s very much a control and coercion device used in these domestic-disharmony situations."
Acknowledging the five months McCormack had spent behind bars awaiting sentencing, he imposed a term of 12 months’ intensive supervision. He was ordered to attend a domestic violence programme and any alcohol or drug counselling prescribed by Probation.
