Husband sent to jail for ‘merciless beating’

Press, 3 December 1982, Page 5

Husband sent to jail for ‘merciless beating’

PA Hamilton A Ngaruawahia housewife died after a “long and merciless beating" by her husband, Mr Justice Prichard said in the High Court at Hamilton yesterday when jailing Raymond Penetito, aged 37, for 18 months. Penetito had been found guity on a charge of manslaughter in a trial before his Honour and a jury of seven

men and five women. Mrs Penetito died of a haemorrhage the day after having a fight with her husband on March 20, the Court heard earlier. Appearing for Penetito yesterday, Mr R. Garbutt said that the facts did not put this case into the category of the more serious of its kind. It was an isolated incident, just a fight at home, appar-

ently over a small amount of money, Mr Garbutt said. There was no suggestion of a weapon having being used and Penetito had no intention of killing his .wife or even causing injury, he submitted. Since the woman's death, Penetito had been caring for their five children ranging in age from 14 down to eight, said Mr Garbutt. His Honour said that it was “not just a blow struck in anger. "You took to her and administered a long and merciless beating upon her," his Honour told Penetito. A doctor in evidence said he found more than 30 bruises on her face and upper body. His Honour said that he was not unmindful of the situation of the children, but the Court must take a serious view of brutality against any woman.