At his recent sentencing, the Dunedin District Court heard the woman was "haunted" by the actions of Chris Andrew Gow, 35, replaying the incident in her mind, knowing she could have been killed.
It was only one in a sequence of "disturbing" events, Judge David Robinson said.
In November 2022, Gow was sleeping at the victim’s home.
She woke him up, concerned he would not get home for his curfew, but the disoriented defendant became angry and attacked her.
"The victim tried to get to the safety alarm that was installed at her address, but the defendant grabbed her from behind and dropped her to the floor, face flat down," a police summary said.
After a 30-second struggle, Gow released the woman and only left the address when she threatened to activate the alarm.
The judge said the presence of such a device showed the high-risk nature of the relationship, and he was "particularly concerned" by the man trying to stop his then partner using it.
Three months later, the couple clashed again and the victim retreated to the kitchen.
As she stood by a window, she heard the glass shatter and "something whizz past her head".
After seeing Gow in the back yard, she dropped to the floor and called a friend for help.
It was only when they arrived that they discovered it was an arrow that had been fired through the window. Gow discarded the crossbow on the lawn.
Despite being banned from contacting his ex-partner because of previous crimes, the defendant turned up at her home in April last year and let himself inside.
After busying himself inside for half an hour, Gow retrieved a wooden baton from under a bed and found the woman at the rear of a property with a friend.
The associate noticed Gow was holding the bat behind his back and asked him to leave.
"I’m all bladed up. If I wanted to take you out, I already would have," the defendant said.
When police arrived, Gow scaled a fence and was only arrested several days later.
Judge Robinson said there had been a "significant and ongoing effect" on the victim.
"Your actions have affected her ability to function socially as well as at work," he said. "She’s trying to rebuild her life."
Counsel John Westgate said Gow had struggled with drug addiction, but was now sober and motivated to stay clean after a long spell behind bars.
On six charges — including possessing a weapon and assault in a family relationship — he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.
Because of Gow’s time on remand he was released immediately.
A protection order was granted in favour of the victim.
