INVERCARGILL, New Zealand – A man with a history of violence in domestic relationships has been sentenced to over three years in prison following a brutal assault on his partner, a court heard.
Daniel Ross Murch, 30, was convicted of multiple charges including injuring with intent to injure, threatening to kill, assaulting a female, and damaging property. The incident occurred on January 8, 2021, following an argument at a Dacre address.
According to the court, Murch, who was intoxicated at the time, accused his partner of infidelity before attacking her and taking her car keys. He then proceeded to physically assault her for 15 minutes, lifting her by the neck, throwing her to the ground, and repeatedly punching, kicking, and stomping on her. Murch also threatened to kill the victim with a hammer and used the weapon to damage her car.
The victim, who was left without her keys, was reportedly too scared to leave the address, which forced her to seek refuge at a neighbor’s house and call the police. Meanwhile, Murch fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle and was later found by police in Invercargill, where he was arrested for driving under the influence.
During sentencing, Judge Duncan Harvey described the assault as “extremely violent” and noted that it was only by luck that the victim did not sustain serious injuries. The court also revealed that Murch was the subject of a protection order in relation to another victim and was yet to complete a mandatory Stopping Violence program. As a result, he was assessed as being at medium risk of reoffending in a similar way.
Ultimately, Judge Harvey sentenced Murch to three years and one month of imprisonment and issued a protection order in favor of the victim. The case serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive issue of domestic violence and the ongoing need for effective intervention and support for victims of such heinous acts.