A man who deliberately drove into his partner’s car then beat her up at a Women's Refuge residence wants to rekindle their relationship.
And the Dunedin District Court heard yesterday the victim felt the same — as long as Luke Anthony Charles Kenealy remained drug-free.
The 31-year-old father of six appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday after pleading guilty to charges of assault with a weapon and assault in a family relationship.
The court heard there was a background of violence between the pair.
In 2019, Kenealy had argued with the woman over the use of a car.
His assault on her drew the intervention of a bystander, who the defendant also physically abused.
By December 8 last year, while Kenealy was completing his sentence, his partner was living in Gore.
But the move was not enough to save her from more violence at the hands of the defendant.
The court heard the pair were driving separate vehicles in opposite directions near the middle of town when Kenealy recognised the victim's car approaching.
He intentionally veered on to the wrong side of the road.
With her path blocked, the victim stopped.
Kenealy then rammed her Toyota before driving off.
Later, he found her at Women's Refuge accommodation, where he struck her in the face and body.
The victim had several areas of swelling and bruising as a result of the attack, the court heard.
Kenealy was found in Balclutha three days later and arrested.
Judge Jim Large said the couple had engaged in a productive restorative justice conference in which the defendant apologised for “everything she had to go through”.
He said he was coming down from methamphetamine use at the time but had kicked the habit after spending nearly two months in custody once charges were laid.
The victim was pleased to see Kenealy sober, the judge said, and emphasised her desire to continue their relationship on that basis.
Counsel Noel Rayner said his client had undertaken drug and violence counselling and was keen to continue that.
“My initial thought was how long do I send this man to prison for?” Judge Large said, but he was persuaded to step back from that.
He sentenced Kenealy to three months’ community detention (in Balclutha) and 12 months’ intensive supervision.
A protection order was granted in favour of the victim.
