Invercargill, New Zealand – A man with a history of domestic violence has been sentenced to more than three years in jail after a brutal attack on his partner. Daniel Ross Murch, 30, appeared in the Invercargill District Court last week and pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including injuring with intent to injure, threatening to kill, assault, and driving offenses.
The vicious attack took place on January 8, 2021, at a Dacre address. Murch, who was intoxicated at the time, accused his partner of infidelity before assaulting her and taking her car keys. He proceeded to launch a sustained and violent attack, which included punching, kicking, and threatening the victim with a hammer. The victim, too terrified to leave, eventually sought refuge at a neighbor’s house and called the police after about two hours.
The court heard that Murch was no stranger to violence in domestic relationships and had a history of similar behavior. Additionally, he was subject to a protection order in relation to another victim and had not completed the mandatory Stopping Violence program. Judge Duncan Harvey emphasized the severity of the assault, stating that it was “extremely violent” and could have resulted in serious injury.
As a result of his actions, Murch was sentenced to three years and one month of imprisonment, and a protection order was granted in favor of the victim. The judge also highlighted that Murch was assessed as being at medium risk of reoffending in a similar way, underscoring the ongoing danger he poses to those in domestic relationships.
The case sheds light on the prevalence and gravity of domestic violence, as well as the importance of addressing and preventing such incidents. It also underscores the significant impact that sustained violence can have on the victims, both physically and emotionally. The sentencing serves as a reminder of the serious consequences perpetrators of domestic violence will face, as the judicial system aims to protect and uphold the rights of victims.