A Dunedin man who threatened to pour hot oil over his partner’s head when she asked for help with house duties has been admonished for his outdated attitude.
On March 3, Jayden Scott Rae (22) returned home from work to his partner and children. An argument broke out over who was going to cook dinner, the Dunedin District Court heard on Thursday.
The woman appeased the man and began to cook dinner while the argument continued.
He then threatened to tip a pan of hot oil over her head.
The victim continued with her domestic chores and began bathing their children.
When she asked Rae for help he yelled at her, telling her it was not his job.
As she put their daughter to bed, she asked him to change their son’s dirty nappy.
He responded aggressively, yelling at her and claiming the children were her responsibility.
The victim put her children in the car and when she attempted to get back in the house the man stood in the doorway, refusing to let her inside.
Rae was arrested five days later for assault and speaking threateningly.
Counsel Andrew Belcher sought police diversion for his client and said it was a pity it was not offered — saying a "conviction would be punishment enough".
Judge Kevin Phillips reprimanded the man for his outdated views on "making appropriate decisions in a family".
"All I care about is your kids and seeing you act in this way will impact on these children forever and a day," the judge said.
Rae was sentenced to nine months’ supervision and ordered to pay the victim $600 for the emotional harm she experienced.
He was also ordered to attend a Stopping Violence course.
"I think you should realise that changing nappies and putting kids in the bath isn’t all woman’s work at all," Judge Phillips said.
