Sateki Langi: Adamstown man sentenced for caravan park assault
A magistrate has told the court he felt he was “making a mistake” by letting a Newcastle man walk free.
Newcastle
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An Adamstown man won’t spend time behind bars despite a dressing down from a magistrate over a brutal assault on his partner.
Sateki Langi pleaded guilty in Raymond Terrace Local Court to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The court heard Langi left his partner seriously injured when he assaulted her in a Hunter Valley caravan park earlier this year.
He was serving a community corrections order for an unrelated offence at the time of the assault.
Langi’s lawyer told the court he was an alcoholic consuming 10-12 drinks per day.
“The alcohol is the key feature here,” he said.
“He has been working towards complete sobriety but he is candid in saying that is a work in progress.
“There is a degree of insight. In his own words he’s ‘disgusted’ with his behaviour.”
The court heard Langi had a criminal history including property damage and stalking offences.
Magistrate Brett Shields debated whether to send him directly to jail.
“The community is very, very concerned about violence in a domestic situation,” Mr Shields said.
“How many chances does somebody get?”
Police prosecutor sergeant Matthew Barry said a custodial sentence was inevitable.
“These are serious domestic violence offences, there’s not much more I can say about it,” Sgt Barry said.
Magistrate Shields ultimately decided not to immediately impose time behind bars, but did issue a stern warning.
“That was a vicious assault,” he said.
“You are certainly a danger to anyone you get involved in a relationship with.
“I actually think I’m making a mistake by giving you an ICO.
“My gut tells me you need to go to prison. I get the wrong feeling from you, I really do.”
Langi was sentenced to a three-year intensive corrections order and may be sent to jail if he reoffends.
He’ll be required to participate in relationship and alcohol rehabilitation, and face random sobriety testing.