A Queenstown chef has been granted a discharge without conviction for assaulting his partner.
Appearing before Judge David Saunders by audio-visual link in the Queenstown District Court yesterday, Martin Shaw (32) was told his behaviour on the evening of March 17 had ''scared'' the victim.
Shaw, a British national, admitted a charge of assaulting his partner with intent to injure her, at a court hearing in July.
Judge Saunders said a report on a restorative justice meeting between the pair showed the victim did not want compensation from the defendant, nor wanted him to be convicted.
Although she had since returned home to Ireland, that was because of a family illness.
The defendant had expressed his hope their relationship could resume.
A psychiatric report indicated Shaw had addressed the issues that led to his ''loss of control'', was managing to self-regulate his behaviour, and posed a low risk of reoffending.
He was in New Zealand on a work visa that was valid for another 12 months, and wanted to stay in the country.
''A conviction would almost certainly put paid to you remaining on a work visa.''
He ordered that Shaw should pay $500 towards the cost of his prosecution.
