WARNING: This story discusses family violence offending and may be distressing. 

A Dunedin man was granted name suppression and has avoided conviction for “serious” family violence offending after his lawyer said it would bring his employer into disrepute. 

The man appeared in the Dunedin District Court last week before Judge Emma Smith, who said he should be ashamed of his “cruel” actions towards his partner. 

Since the charges of assault in a family relationship and speaking threateningly were laid, the man had disclosed all the details to his employer. 

He subsequently faced disciplinary proceedings. 

Because of sweeping suppression orders, the Otago Daily Times cannot name the defendant or reveal the nature of his employment. 

The man held a leadership role at a Dunedin institution and faced “ongoing consequences for his entire career” if he received a conviction, counsel Brendan Stephenson said. 

“A conviction will bring the [organisation] into disrepute,” Stephenson said. 

“No, it won’t. They have big shoulders,” Judge Smith said. 

Representatives from the organisation attended court in support of the man and the judge said she could understand their distress. 

At 11.30pm on April 21, an argument about finances broke out at the man’s family home and he pushed the woman on to the couch. 

He grabbed her by the neck and pushed her to the ground, before hitting her in the face up to three times. 

He then hit her with a spatula and rolling pin, court documents said — though the defendant disputed that aspect. 

On a phone call to the victim’s family, the man said he would kill her “and they would never find her”. 

The woman received some swelling and bruising to her right cheekbone, a bruise on her arm and marks on her chest. 

Stephenson conceded it was “serious offending” but applied for name suppression on behalf of his client, saying if the man lost his job, he would likely struggle to gain employment elsewhere. 

The man had since attended 13 Stopping Violence sessions and learned better coping strategies to “stop things getting out of hand”, the court heard. 

“Essentially, his position is that he failed as a husband and a father,” Stephenson said. 

A restorative justice meeting was held between the couple and the judge said the man had shown “clear and utter remorse. 

“Your wife acted with incredibly good grace to you ... She is desperately worried about the fracturing of your family.” 

Judge Smith did not enter a conviction on the charges and suppressed the man’s name, occupation and place of employment due to concern for his family. 

“He is so identifiable. I find it incredible that we should visit harm on victims and children,” she said. 

FAMILY VIOLENCE 

How to get help:

If you're in danger now: 
• Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours or friends to ring for you. 
• Run outside and head for where there are other people. Scream for help so your neighbours can hear you. 
• Take the children with you. Don't stop to get anything else. 
• If you are being abused, remember it's not your fault. Violence is never okay. 

Where to go for help or more information: 
• Women's Refuge: Crisis line - 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 (available 24/7) 
• Shine: Helpline - 0508 744 633 (available 24/7) 
• It's Not Ok: Family violence information line - 0800 456 450 
• Shakti: Specialist services for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and children. 
• Crisis line - 0800 742 584 (available 24/7) • Ministry of Justice: For information on family violence 
• Te Kupenga Whakaoti Mahi Patunga: National Network of Family Violence Services 
• White Ribbon: Aiming to eliminate men's violence towards women.

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