A Gore district councillor convicted of assaulting his partner and her daughter says he has no plans to resign, but may yet face public censure.
Steven Alexander Dixon (53) appeared in the Gore District Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to two charges of assaulting his partner and her 16-year-old daughter.
The charges followed a domestic incident at his home on May 15 which led to Dixon striking the pair with a closed fist, the court heard.
Dixon was remanded on bail by Judge Kevin Phillips for sentencing on August 3.
Dixon said when contacted last night he did not want to comment until after sentencing, but had no plans to resign as a councillor.
"I would think about it but it would be dictated by what my public wanted and what the council wants." The Local Government Act required councillors to resign if convicted of a crime that carried a possible prison sentence of two years or more.
Gore Mayor Tracy Hicks said when contacted that provision would not be triggered in Dixon's case, so he was not required to resign.
However, the council would be considering what action to take, if any, once Dixon had been sentenced.
Mr Hicks spoke to Dixon last night and indicated a code of conduct process would be considered by the council after sentencing.
That could result in Dixon being publicly censured by the council, asked to apologise or stripped of responsibilities, although he held no extra roles other than councillor.
"I wouldn't like to predetermine that.
"Those are the sort of things that may well be appropriate," Mr Hicks said.
Asked if the council's image had been tarnished by Dixon's offending, Mr Hicks said the public would make up its own mind.
"It's really unfortunate and disappointing that this has happened.
"Violence of any sort, or domestic violence, simply can't be allowed to go unpunished, and Steven has unfortunately got himself into that situation."
Earlier yesterday, police prosecutor Sergeant Grant Gerken, of Invercargill, told the court Dixon and his partner had been drinking on the evening of May 15.
A verbal argument started at the home after a meal, about 9.15pm, the time the 16-year-old daughter returned.
Dixon made comments the girl felt threatened by and she slapped Dixon, who punched her in the mouth with a closed fist.
When his partner intervened to protect her daughter and hit Dixon in the face, he punched her, also in the mouth.
No medical treatment was required.
