A man who has been granted permanent name suppression was handed a 24-month suspended sentence after being convicted of assaulting a woman.

The accused appeared before Justice of the Peace Georgina Keenan-Williams at the Criminal Court on Tuesday.

Defence counsel Moana Ioane asked for leniency from the court stating that the 29-year-old accused has not reoffended since 2013.

Ioane asked for a discharge without conviction.

Police prosecutor senior sergeant Fairoa Tararo said a withdrawal letter from the victim was submitted including a psychiatric report on the accused.

Senior sergeant Tararo said the defendant has reconciled with the victim and due to his mental health status, he should be placed under a 24-month suspended sentence.

The Court heard that on August 11 last year, the accused was reported to have punched a wall and thrown a knife onto the bedroom wall. When the victim asked him to stop, he held the knife and said “someone will die”.

He was reported to the police and when police asked him to accompany them to the police station, he became uncooperative. The defendant walked towards the knife on the wall but police were able to control the situation.

The Court heard from the victim, who pleaded for leniency. She testified to witnessing a positive change in the accused and expressed her continued support for him.

The Court also heard that he is on treatment orders for his mental health and well-being as he has had a long history of problems.

The Court heard that through the treatment he has been on the right path and has improved.

JP Keenan-Williams said the defendant had a good support system, including his employer who spoke highly of him and his family and his medical treatment.

She handed a suspended sentence, stating it would be the most effective course of action to keep him on the right path.