Death threat admitted

A Masterton man has pleaded guilty to attacking and threatening to kill his former partner in her home.

He also admitted assaulting a female friend who went to her aid.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Garry Wilson told the Masterton District Court on Thursday that Rihari Eruera Hamiora Laris was at a Masterton bar in the early hours of July 1. His former partner was in the same bar at the same time, although she left with a friend at about 2am, Mr Wilson said.

About 7am, Laris' former partner had awoken to find Laris in her house, Mr Wilson said.

An argument had developed before she called an uncle of his to help remove him from her house. The uncle had arrived but was unable to convince Laris to leave, Mr Wilson said.

Laris had then followed his former partner into her bedroom, he said.

"While she was on her bed he grabbed her by the throat using both hands, applying enough force that the victim could hardly breathe," Mr Wilson said.

She had called out to a woman friend who was staying at the address, he said, who pulled her away from Laris with help from his uncle. During the struggle, Laris had punched his former partner on the right cheek and left ear, Mr Wilson said. He had then head-butted his former partner's friend, cutting her nose, causing it to bleed, he said.

Mr Wilson said Laris had then gone to the kitchen where he took several knives, before returning to the bedroom.

"[Laris] stood outside the door, looking straight at the victim, holding the knives in his hands and told her that he was going to kill her and himself.

"He said he may as well do that before she could call police," Mr Wilson said.

Laris also pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified on June 16 and driving with a breath-alcohol level of 660mcg of alcohol per litre of breath on the same day.

The legal limit is 400mcg.

He was bailed to be sentenced on October 18.