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WARNING: This article deals with the subject of family violence and may be distressing for some people.
Tane McGregor-Tuirirangi had a history of assaulting his partner when he stomped on her head several times, as she used her hands to protect their unborn child.
The pair had been in a relationship for five years and she was 24 weeks pregnant when he became agitated at their home and snatched a phone off her.
McGregor-Tuirirangi, 28, accused her of “shaming” him on an earlier phone call to his friends, as he followed her into a bedroom and kicked the back of her legs causing her to fall to the floor.
He stomped on her head about five times as she shielded her abdomen, leaving her head exposed.
Then he knelt down and kneed her in the side of the head.
Meanwhile, her two primary school-aged children were in the house.
The youngest witnessed the assault while their sibling fled to a neighbour’s house to seek help.
But McGregor-Tuirirangi wasn’t finished, as he left the bedroom and went to the bathroom.
He returned and kicked the woman in the stomach before lifting her up and throwing her on to a bed.
He tried to leave but couldn’t drive his car, so tried taking the victim’s vehicle, but she took the keys from the ignition.
She then fled to a neighbour’s house as McGregor-Tuirirangi slapped her in the head.
On Thursday, he was jailed for 31 months in the Christchurch District Court for injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault with intent to injure and assault on a person in a family relationship.
McGregor-Tuirirangi was given a three-strike warning and issued with a firearms prohibition order.
A police prosecutor told the court the victim was vulnerable, the attacks occurred in the home, there were attacks to the head, and children had witnessed the violence on the evening of February 5.
The victim suffered a swollen lip, a lump to the left side of her head from the stomps and knee strike, and ringing in her left ear from the slap to the head.
McGregor-Tuirirangi had a previous conviction in 2024 relating to the victim. In 2022 he faced multiple charges, including strangulation and assault, also relating to the victim, the prosecutor said.
The prosecutor said the 2022 charges were withdrawn because the victim refused to take part in court proceedings.
Judge Quentin Hix said the extent of violence was prolonged with three separate incidents, and the potential for significant injury to the woman and her unborn child.
“The bruises speak for themselves.”
Judge Hix said the child was born and there weren’t any further impacts.
“The length of the attack is concerning; there is a high degree of culpability.”
Judge Hix said it was also concerning to see there was related offending, which had occurred recently.
In jailing McGregor-Tuirirangi and issuing him with a three-strike warning, Judge Hix told him there would be no parole eligibility if he faced serious charges again.
“The rationale for that is extremely concerning issues around family violence.
“The nature of previous offending is concerning.”
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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