A Cromwell man with an ''appalling history'' of violence towards his wife was sentenced to two and a-half years' imprisonment by Judge Michael Turner in the Queenstown District Court yesterday.
Glen Andrew Gauldie (42) admitted injuring his wife with intent on February 26 at Cromwell after the two began arguing in their home.
Judge Turner said Gauldie's wife had arrived at their home about 11.30pm and a ''heated'' argument ensued.
Gauldie grabbed her, pushed her to the floor, pinned her there, punched her in the stomach and face and bit her left forearm.
The attack continued for about 10 minutes.
Injuries included contusions to both cheekbones, bruising to her left arm, broken skin and tenderness about her rib cage.
Judge Turner said in April 2012 Gauldie was jailed for two years after admitting injuring his wife with intent and four other assault charges.
Release conditions were breached last year when he was convicted of threatening behaviour.
Despite a letter of apology written by Gauldie in prison, Judge Turner said he had ''real reservations'' as to whether his remorse was genuine ''or simply for the position you find yourself in''.
Gauldie had said his conduct was because he was trying to get his wife ''to be the best person she can be'' and he did not see himself as a violent person.
''You are an extremely violent person whose anger is directed to the person you say you love.
''The statement ... demonstrates power and control.
''You say the right things but you can't demonstrate by your conduct that you have accepted your problems and are prepared to deal with them.''
Judge Turner said it was a lengthy attack and occurred in a place where his wife was entitled to feel safe.
There was an ''enormous'' breach of trust and Gauldie was ''supposed to show her love, tenderness and kindness, not brutality.''
''She was vulnerable ... you got her to the ground and you laid into her.
''She certainly believes you need help and questions whether your marriage and relationship have a future.''
Gauldie was sentenced to a total of two years and six months' imprisonment on the injuring charge, an unrelated disorderly behaviour charge, which occurred at Cromwell on February 14, and the previous breach of release conditions.
Judge Turner also issued a protection order and cancelled outstanding fines of $1138.34 in lieu of one month's imprisonment, to be served concurrently.
• A 29-year-old Queenstown woman facing six charges in relation to theft from ANZ Bank was yesterday remanded without plea.
Jenna Lee Robinson, of Arthurs Point, will next appear on April 28.
She faces one charge of directly accessing the ANZ Bank computer network and setting up 16 fictitious accounts with loan and overdraft facilities at Queenstown between August 16, 2010 and July 4, 2013.
She faces another five theft charges in relation to property totalling $402,386.01, between August 16, 2010 and July 4, 2013.
