A local farmer charged with mistreating more than 100 dairy cows and failing to provide them with medical attention can be named.

Lawyer Jennifer North said there were insufficient grounds to apply for permanent name suppression, and interim name suppression lapsed when Parvinder Singh appeared in the Ashburton District Court for sentencing on Monday.

North also submitted an application for a discharge without conviction for Singh.

The 37-year-old had earlier pleaded guilty to mistreating nearly 140 dairy cows and failing to provide them with medical attention after their tails were damaged.

One cow had a tail so badly damaged that it fell off and a further six cows had to have their tails amputated.

Singh admitted failing to ensure 137 dairy cows under his care were handled in a way that minimised the likelihood of unreasonable pain or distress between June 2020 and December 2021 – and failing to ensure that the 137 cows with tail injuries were given adequate care and medical treatment

He also admitted to failing to provide medical care for seven cows with broken or damaged tails.

Singh appeared before Judge Stephen O'Driscoll for sentencing.

Ministry for Primary Industries lawyer Ayla MacTavish said the starting point for a fine would be $15,000 based on a similar case.

However, North said Singh's case was different because there were other people involved in the offending, but Singh was the only one to face any consequences.

Judge O'Driscoll opted to reserve his decision, which would be released before April 23.

Guilty pleas

Raymond Whakahau Tamatahuta Henare, 35, who appeared in court via video link from prison, admitted three charges stemming from an incident on Christmas day last year.

He pleaded guilty after the police amended a charge of intentional wounding to injuring with reckless disregard. The other charges were for assault and threatening behaviour.

Henare told the judge he would like to be sentenced immediately, but Judge O'Driscoll said the charges were serious and he wanted to request a presentence report and an updated victim impact statement.

Henare was remanded in custody and will appear for sentencing on May 20.

Assault over pool game

An Allenton man was ordered to make an emotional harm payment after an "out of character" assault when a discussion over a game of pool escalated.

William Trevor Allan, 26, had earlier pleaded guilty for his part in an assault on a man at an event for tradies in Ashburton on November 30.

Lawyer Gretchen Hart said this was Allan's first time in court and the attack was "completely out of character".

Allan was "extremely remorseful and regrets his actions", she said.

Hart said Allan did not usually drink alcohol, except on the rare special occasion. On the day of the assault, Allan had a "significant amount of alcohol" at a shout for tradespeople.

A discussion about a game of pool escalated and Allan threw the first punch but did not get involved in the rest of the fracas, which was in two phases in two different areas.

Hart said Allan had attended a restorative justice conference and there was no residual animosity between the parties. Allan gave the victim $150 to buy a new pair of glasses.

Judge O'Driscoll accepted it was a one-off out-of-character incident.

He convicted Allan and made a reparation order of $300 for emotional harm.

“Most people make mistakes but it is a matter of learning from it. I think you had too much to drink on this occasion so watch yourself in the future," the judge said.

Community detention

A Taupo man who has relocated to Ashburton has been given community detention for family violence and threatening behaviour.

Justin Webber, 24, admitted two charges of family violence and a charge of threatening behaviour in December last year, and a charge of contravening a protection order in February this year.

Duty lawyer Gretchen Hart said Webber had shifted from Taupo to the local area and was living with his father.

Hart said the move was big for Webber who had reached a turning point in his life and was incredibly motivated to change for his two-year-old daughter and had not touched drugs since he moved down here.

The court was told that Webber had breached his protection order and made contact to offer his former partner financial support after he got a job.

Judge O'Driscoll said Webber had a previous conviction for family violence in 2019.

A protection order was issued after the family violence and intimidation charges in December last year. Webber then breached the protection order on February 5.

The summary of facts indicated Webber sent messages to the victim asking for forgiveness and wanting to get back with the victim - and encouraged her not to contact the police, the judge said.

He accepted Webber meant no ill intent but said he needed to comply strictly with the protection order.

Webber was sentenced to 12 months' supervision and four months' community detention with a curfew from 8pm to 4.30am.

Breach of community work

A man who hoped for an extension to complete his community work sentence from 2021 was given an additional 40 hours' community work.

Andrew Colin McLaren, 53, appeared on a charge of breaching his community work sentence.

Duty lawyer Claire Yardley asked the judge to remand the case to give McLaren a chance to complete the outstanding 49 hours of community work.

However, Judge O'Driscoll was "not prepared to put the matter off" and said the community work was from a sentence in 2021 and added an additional 40 hours' community work.

"You will do your CW or there will be consequences."

The judge said any failure to appear for community work would result in a review of Mclaren's sentence.

Community work cancelled

Duke Catty Dawson, 30, admitted a charge of breaching his community work sentence.

Duty lawyer Claire Yardley said Dawson lived rurally and was not able to get into Ashburton on Saturdays to do community work. She asked the judge to cancel Dawson's sentence.

Judge O'Driscoll cancelled the sentence and remanded Dawson to May 20 for resentencing with an alternative sentence.

Guilty pleas

Viny Ryan Tait, 32, pleaded guilty to two charges of wilful damage and one charge of family violence.

Duty lawyer Gretchen Hart said Tait was very remorseful and had arranged for the repair of the wall of the home and the vehicle window.

Tait will appear again for sentencing on June 4.

Remand without plea

Nakeisha Bianca Henare, 31, appeared for a review of her community work sentence and a new charge of shoplifting.

The police allege Henare stole items worth $480 from Kmart in Ashburton on February 7.

Duty lawyer Roz Burnside asked the judge to remand the case without plea.

Henare will appear again on April 22.

By Sharon Davis