Wilson punched and kicked his girlfriend when she could not source cannabis and he later attacked her on the street after they argued about a Winz appointment.

He dragged her along the road before the victim sought refuge at a service station.

Wilson was also convicted on driving charges over a crash in Lower Hutt.

On that occasion, he took his mother's car without permission while she was getting ready for work.

Driving on Biddle St, Wilson hit a parked car, extensively damaging both vehicles.

He had to be cut from the wreckage and his passenger suffered a lacerated tongue as a result of the collision.

When asked for a blood sample in hospital, Wilson said: ''I don't give blood for nobody. It's my blood.''

Judge Kevin Phillips said there was only limited remorse apparent after the defendant referred to his attack on his partner as ''a tap on the head''.

''Domestic violence of this kind is an alarming feature of our community,'' he said.

Judge Phillips noted Wilson's lengthy history but commended him for the courses he had undertaken in prison while awaiting sentence.

Defence counsel Anne Stevens said her client was motivated to attend residential rehabilitation to address his drug and alcohol vices when he was released from jail.

Wilson was banned from driving for 14 months.

HOW TO GET HELP

If you're in danger NOW:

• Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours of friends to ring for you • Run outside and head for where there are other people • Scream for help so that 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: Free national crisisline operates 24/7 - 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz • Shine, free national helpline 9am- 11pm every day - 0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz • It's Not Ok: Information line 0800 456 450 www.areyouok.org.nz • Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and their children. Crisisline 24/7 0800 742 584 • Ministry of Justice: www.justice.govt.nz/family-justice/domestic-violence • National Network of Stopping Violence: www.nnsvs.org.nz • White Ribbon: Aiming to eliminate men's violence towards women, focusing this year on sexual violence and the issue of consent. www.whiteribbon.org.nz

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