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Man 'threw TV at pregnant partner'

An Auckland man who won a competition to play golf with the All Blacks in Queenstown found himself in police custody instead of on the golf course after an alleged alcohol-fuelled attack on his pregnant partner.

Daniel Tate Russell (27) was remanded in custody to appear in the Invercargill District Court on Tuesday, charged with intentionally damaging a Philips television, property of the Heritage, and assaulting Te Paea Matehuria Popata using a television as a weapon.

Senior Constable Chris Blackford, who claimed the couple had access to unlimited free alcohol, described the incident to justice of the peace Daphne Stewart, of Wanaka, as "probably one of the worst cases that I've had to deal with of assault of a woman" in his strong opposition to bail.

Snr Const Blackford said the information police had relating to the allegation was that Russell was part of a group that had come to Queenstown as an invited guest of Lion Nathan brewery.

Russell had apparently won a trip for two to the resort to play golf with past and present All Blacks at Jacks Point.

"[On Wednesday] night they had access to unlimited free alcohol," Snr Const Blackford told the hearing.

"They both became grossly intoxicated.

The woman is four to five months' pregnant."

Snr Const Blackford said the pair - who were in a relationship, but not living together - returned to their accommodation at the Heritage in Queenstown and some time after midnight a "woman was heard screaming for help".

Hotel staff and public investigated the screams and found Ms Popata with injuries to her forehead and legs.

Ms Popata was taken to Lakes District Hospital with "severe" injuries, which included heavy swelling and bruising to her right shin, a swollen lump on her forehead.

She alleged Russell also kicked her in the stomach.

"The allegation is that this man, whilst intoxicated, has thrown a television set at his partner, causing those injuries," Snr Const Blackford said.

Steinlager, who sponsored the event, had offered to look after the victim, ensuring her safe return to Auckland.

In his opposition to bail, Snr Const Blackford said the "only fit place for this man is . . . in custody".

"She [Ms Popata] fears that she's going to get a beating from this man when he's released.

"We can't [risk] that in any way, shape or form . . ."

Snr Const Blackford sought a remand in custody to Invercargill for a judge to make a decision on future bail.

Duty solicitor Phena Byrne sought for the man to be allowed to travel back to Auckland on his scheduled flight, answering in the Auckland District Court.

However, Snr Const Blackford said that meant the pair would have been on the same flight, without any police protection for the victim.

Ms Byrne said her instructions were that Russell would deny and defend the charges.

Ms Stewart said the incident was of concern and despite not having a victim impact statement "the fact that she's been hospitalised makes it indeed a very serious matter".

Russell told Ms Stewart it was "a drunken thing".

He said he and Ms Popata had been in a relationship for 12 years, already had one child together and he would "never normally" hurt her.

"This is not something that's tolerated here in this town," Ms Stewart told him.

"We're not used to this kind of behaviour . . .

I can say that there is just no way I would consider bail conditions."

While Ms Stewart was asked by Ms Byrne to allow Russell to appear in the Invercargill District Court earlier, Ms Stewart refused.

"The longer, Mr Russell, that you have to yourself to perhaps refocus and think and to enable the victim some security and safety [the better]," she said.

 

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