A Southland health worker who punched and strangled their partner has been sentenced to supervision. The person, whose identity and occupation is suppressed, appeared before Judge John Brandts-Giesen in the Invercargill District Court on Monday. The person had earlier admitted a charge of assault and applied for a discharge without conviction, but the judge declined, instead sentencing them to 12 months’ supervision. Judge Brandts-Giesen said the person had been drinking with their partner on February 28 when the couple began arguing. “I suspect you were drunk,” the judge said. When the partner was in bed, the person stood over them and punched their partner in the face, causing a bleeding nose and lip. They then grabbed their partner by the shirt and pounamu necklace, which caused them to struggle to breathe for a short time. The partner managed to get away, and went to a neighbour’s house to phone police, the judge said.
