An Upper Hutt man is the first in New Zealand to get a strike under the controversial "three-strikes" law after pleading guilty to assault.
Dwyane Christopher Mercer, 32, pleaded guilty in Upper Hutt District Court last week to indecently assaulting a friend's partner.
Under the controversial "three-strikes" law, which came into force on June 1, indecent assault is one of 40 serious violent offences that attract strikes upon conviction.
A spokesman from Corrections Minister Judith Collins' office yesterday confirmed to The Dominion Post Mercer's "strike" was the first in the country. There had been two more convictions under the legislation since.
Prosecuting Sergeant Neill Ford told the court Mercer went to the victim's house on June 11 after a night of drinking and asked to use the toilet. He asked to stay the night and was allowed into the spare room, but later approached her in her bed and indecently assaulted her.
Mercer was also facing sentence for assaulting his mother while he was drunk.
Last night Ms Collins said that she hoped offenders would reflect on their first strike and decide that it was not in their best interest to commit another violent offence.
Mercer would get a second strike if he committed another of the violent crimes and a third strike would mean a mandatory maximum sentence for that crime with no parole.
NZPA