A Clutha man’s bid to become the "head of the family" led to dual confrontations with his parents, a court has heard.
The defendant — aged in his 30s — also turned his temper on his wife while on bail, resulting in convictions for assault, performing a threatening act and behaving threateningly.
In the Dunedin District Court yesterday, Judge Jim Large suppressed the names of the man’s parents, meaning the defendant likewise cannot be identified.
Counsel Karlena Lawrence said her client’s wayward behaviour was caused by a brain injury which meant he struggled to think consequentially.
It was described as a "teenage brain", and the judge said the defendant’s problems had been exacerbated by alcohol use.
The defendant had been drinking for several hours at his parents’ house on February 10, when he instigated a patriarchal showdown with his father.
"The defendant demanded that he replace his father as the head of the family," a police summary said.
He took a 1.5m ceremonial staff — complete with pointed-antler tip — from the wall.
He struck the ground twice "to intimidate the victim" then spun the weapon in a threatening manner, feigning drawing back to strike him.
The victim defused the situation by going to bed.
Hours later, the defendant’s mother confronted him after finding an empty beer box.
He responded by pushing her, and the pair tussled on the deck while the man’s partner tried to restrain him.
His mother was knocked into a railing and the man pressed home his advantage, grabbing her around the neck and holding her on the ground.
The defendant was arrested the next day and was bailed to a different address but the criminal charges hanging over him were not enough to keep him in line.
On March 11, he returned to his parents’ home — where his partner was also living — and defaced a driveway, porch and shed with spray paint while the house was unoccupied.
The defendant wrote: "evil", "liar", "fraud" and "you disgust me".
When his wife found the graffiti she notified police and alternative accommodation was arranged for her.
Shortly after, he went back and smashed various items inside the property.
In a statement before the court, his parents said they forgave him but did not want him back in their home.
The man had spent the past six weeks in prison on remand, and Judge Large imposed 12 months’ supervision.
