An Invercargill man subjected his partner to an onslaught of violence and controlling behaviour for 18 months, a judge says.
Judge Kevin Phillips said Robinson wielded "unbelievable" levels of control and manipulation over his victim during a relationship spanning 2020 and last year.
As well as constant beatings, threats to kill, kidnappings and verbal abuse, he set up a covert camera in their home to record what she did during the day.
He also made her carry her cellphone in her top pocket, in recording mode, so he could monitor her when she was out.
In mid-2020, he drove her to the Catlins in the middle of the night, and at a lake and a beach, ordered her to strip naked and walk into the water.
Robinson, whose interim name suppression lapsed yesterday, admitted kidnapping (three charges), strangulation (three charges), male assaults female (six charges), assault with intent to injure (two charges) and threatening to kill (11 charges).
After listening to the victim’s impact statement, which was read to the court by an advocate, Judge Phillips praised her bravery, and wished her well in her recovery from "immense" psychological and physical harm.
"It’s difficult to understand how one woman could have withstood the onslaught."
The defendant met the victim on an online dating app, and his offending began in early 2020, soon after he moved to Invercargill to live with her and her daughter from a previous relationship.
When she finally went to the police, she was pregnant with his child.
Counsel John Westgate said a psychological report diagnosed the defendant with separation anxiety disorder arising from a difficult family background.
He had suffered from domestic violence, relocation and the loss of a sibling during his childhood, and the report helped explain how the offending was driven by his fear of losing his partner.
Also sentenced by Judge Phillips in the Invercargill District Court yesterday were.—
- Christopher Rhys McGregor (30), of Queenstown, receiving, July 15, 2021; unlawfully taking a vehicle, September 20; burglary, September 20-23; burglary, all in Queenstown, March 20; two years six months’ imprisonment, reparation $7000.
- Tapara Tahi (35), of Roxburgh, breaching protection order, Invercargill, February 22, four months’ community detention, nine months’ supervision.
