Warning. This story includes details of violence against a partner and may be upsetting to some readers.
A short relationship ended violently for a woman who thought she would die during a two-hour attack in which she was punched, beaten and stomped on by her partner.
Barry Delahunt has gone to prison for close to five years for the violent assault in late 2024 in which he not only badly injured the woman but threatened to take her on a “boot ride”.
Judge Garry Barkle said in sentencing Delahunt in the Nelson District Court on Tuesday, the term “boot ride” was a common term used in the criminal fraternity indicating that they would “kill a person and dispose of the body”.
Crown prosecutor Jerome Lao said Delahunt had “multiple criminogenic” features to his character, and was a person for whom life growing up was a mix of neglect and indiscriminate violence.
Defence lawyer Emma Riddell said “so much had gone on” in his life it was little wonder he continued to offend.
“That’s what he’s known,” she said.
He was also someone for whom violence had become habitual and “normalised” in intimate relationships, Judge Barkle said.
Delahunt pleaded guilty almost a year after the prolonged attack on the woman who he also blamed for starting the fight.
He admitted last October a charge of injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, two charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault on a person in a family relationship, intentional damage and theft over $1000.
According to the summary of facts, Delahunt and the woman had been in a relationship for about two months.
At about 8am on the morning of November 2, 2024, the woman arrived at a friend’s address where Delahunt had spent the night.
She noticed Delahunt and her friend in a vehicle about to leave the property and flagged them down.
Delahunt got out of the vehicle and walked over to her vehicle where an argument began.
As he leaned into the vehicle he headbutted her twice, breaking her nose.
Delahunt then ordered her to get into the passenger seat, kicking her repeatedly until she did.
He then got into the driver’s seat and drove off with the woman while continuing to hit, abuse and threaten her.
Delahunt then pulled over outside a winery where the assault continued, as they searched for the vehicle’s keys which Delahunt had thrown out of the vehicle, the summary said.
Delahunt then punched her until she fell to the ground, then kicked her so hard in the ribs, they broke and she was unable to breathe, Judge Barkle said.
He then dragged and kicked her into a small outhouse on the winery property where the assaults continued.
She was repeatedly kicked, punched and stomped on her arms, head, face and body, police said.
While in the outhouse, Delahunt caused extensive damage to the walls, plywood, and toilet.
The victim’s blood was also left throughout the outhouse, police said.
The assaults continued for up to two hours, causing her to fear for her life on several occasions.
Delahunt also told her to “run”, telling her she “took the shots well” and calling her insulting names.
The woman’s injuries included a broken nose, broken ribs, bruises and cuts to her arms, face and body which required hospital treatment several days later.
She later said she normally wouldn’t report matters to the police but she did this time, because of the extreme violence.
After the assault the pair then returned to an address where Delahunt got hold of the woman’s $1800 in savings. He told her he would “put it in a safe place” for her, but left with the money and did not return.
He was later found by the police hiding in the roof of a house in Stoke, when he was arrested and charged, the summary of facts showed.
Judge Barkle said in setting an adjusted prison starting point of six years and nine months that he noted Delahunt’s victim-blaming comments to a report writer.
He claimed to have headbutted the woman in retaliation for being assaulted by her first, Judge Barkle said.
Delahunt was found to have a “severe” alcohol, opioid and methamphetamine disorder, and his lifestyle and relationships became “chaotic” when subject to addiction.
Judge Barkle said while Delahunt had apologised to the victim in a letter for the pain and suffering caused, and wanted help in the prison system to address underlying issues, he did not consider it enough to warrant a sentencing discount.
“In my view this is not a situation where any reduction for genuine remorse is available,” the judge said.
He said aggravating features included the “prolonged, significant and unprovoked” violence, multiple attacks to the woman’s head, and the serious harm caused to her, both physical and psychological.
Judge Barkle also took into account Delahunt’s “significant offending history”, including family violence matters in 2004, 2016 and 2023.
The end sentence of four years and 10 months in prison on the lead charges of grievous bodily harm took into account discounts for his guilty pleas and personal background factors.
He was sentenced to 18 months in prison on the balance of the charges, including the theft, to be served concurrently.
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
