Isaac Turetanae Roberts (40) pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual connection and strangulation, as well as two counts of breaching release conditions.
The Dunedin District Court heard yesterday the sex attack came less than four months after the defendant had been released from prison — a sentence imposed for earlier violent crimes.
On May 25 last year, Roberts and his partner had argued.
She later told a report writer that he often sought out sex in such circumstances.
Roberts introduced himself to the victim who had just moved into the house with her son.
In the woman’s bedroom, the defendant squeezed her buttocks, prompting her to leave the property and sit outside.
A police summary described how Roberts followed her and sat beside her, kissing her on the throat and face until she recoiled.
Undeterred, he kissed her again, squeezing her throat and sucking the air out of her mouth, causing her to struggle for breath.
He then pulled away and gave her a hickie on her neck.
The victim tried to distract Roberts by making a phone call but he pulled her in, told her to look at him, and said: "you can call me Zax Dog and you are mine now".
The defendant stood up and forced the woman into a sex act before she broke away, barricading herself in the house by blocking the door with a fridge.
Roberts returned later and barged his way inside.
When he found the victim and her son hiding in a bedroom he left.
Judge Michael Turner said the psychological impact on the woman and her son had been huge.
He labelled the attack "predatory opportunism" and said the victim was now on edge both at home and in public.
"The victim was entitled to feel safe in her home but you destroyed that with your conduct."
Crown prosecutor Craig Power highlighted a pattern of violent conduct by Roberts, which had escalated in recent years.
"It appears when he’s in the mood he does what he wants and takes what he wants."
Despite pleading guilty, when interviewed before sentencing, Roberts gave an alternative version of events.
He claimed the victim had been intoxicated and kissed him.
The defendant said he had only put his arm around her neck when he lost his balance, and it was she who initiated the sex act.
Judge Turner dismissed it as "nonsense".
"Plainly you show no remorse for your behaviour."
Counsel John Westgate said his client had shown great sporting prowess in his youth but his life had been blighted by alcohol and violence.
"He drinks, the switch goes and he commits this kind of offending.".
Roberts was jailed for five years, 11 months.
