Arrests for drunken assaults | Northland News | Local News in Northland

Alcohol fuels most domestic violence cases and so it was proved again in Whangarei, with a man and woman arrested for what police described as drunken assaults.

Sergeant Neil Pennington, of Whangarei police, said officers were called to a Matai St, Otangarei, address on Tuesday evening after reports of a man assaulting his partner.

Mr Pennington said the pair had both been drinking when an argument developed and the man allegedly assaulted the woman.

He said when police arrived with a dog unit the woman was sitting on the back steps of the house while the man had locked himself inside.

Mr Pennington said the man came to the door allegedly carrying a knife and police used pepper spray on him so he could be arrested. The man is also understood to have suffered a dog bite.

He was charged with assaulting a female and threatening to kill. Further charges may be laid and he is to appear in the Whangarei District Court on the charges this month.

At 1.30am yesterday, police were called to a home in Lichfield Pl, Raumanga, after reports of a woman assaulting another woman.

Mr Pennington said a 28-year-old woman and her 50-year-old aunt had been drinking and an argument developed.

He said the younger woman allegedly kicked and punched her aunt several times before pushing her to the ground. The younger woman was arrested and charged with assault and was to appear in the court later this month also.

Mr Pennington said alcohol usually fuelled domestic violence incidents. Northland police revealed late last year they were dealing with more than 100 domestic violence cases a month.