Warning: This story includes a graphic image.
Auckland woman Fiona Tarlton only has to look in the mirror to be reminded of the night she was randomly assaulted.
A small scar is visible between her eyebrows where she required stitches after local businessman Dom Nash "baseball threw" a heavy glass at her head. The assault took Tarlton completely by surprise, with no prior interactions ever having taken place between the pair.
As a result of the event, Nash was convicted of assault with reckless disregard and sentenced to six months home detention, 18 months no drinking and 18 months probation.
But the punishment wouldn't be his last for causing injury to a woman.
On June 2, Nash was convicted of assault on a person in a family relationship and sentenced to 6 months home detention, 12 months no drinking and 12 months probation after assaulting his now ex-wife on December 31 2020.
The lesser sentence for his second conviction for violence against a woman caused shock and further heartache for his victim and her family, prompting Nash's ex-sister-in-law to come forward and speak publicly.
In part one of this story, Jess Williams outlined a number of disturbing claims against her sister's former husband, alleging he maintained an ongoing pattern of abuse during the couple's four-year marriage.
She also claimed he's been breaching his bail conditions to torment her sister further in the months after the assault and is using manipulative tactics to aggravate their current situation further.
Nash's meat business Avon's Butchery is well-known online, often using social media marketing via popular sports stars and influencers. The Instagram page for the Glen Innes shop boasts thousands of followers and is often seen being touted by reputable Kiwis.
As well as the content collaborations, Avon's Butchery frequently pairs up with other local brands like Winger's Suzuki and Pepper & Me.
After Newshub's interview with Williams laid bare the events surrounding his conviction, both businesses took to social media to announce they were cutting ties with Avon's Butchery and paid donations to victim support groups.
With a public-facing position and a business that relies on the support of the public, Williams believes it is in the public interest to be aware of the pain he's caused others.
Now, Tarlton has told Newshub of the long-lasting impact Nash's assault made on her life and joins Williams in calling for harsher punishments for repeat offenders.
Nash did not respond to Newshub's request for an interview for this second follow-up. Nash's lawyer, who was not the same defence representation as in Tarlton's case, declined the opportunity to contribute comment on this matter.
'It was scary'
In November 2017, Tarlton, aged 50 at the time, was attending an event at The Vodka Room in Ponsonby when the hosts suggested she go and look at the "beautiful, stylish" room upstairs.
Donning a glamourous pink and gold vintage dress with black boots, Tarlton and her male friend headed up the stairs and made their way into the room.
"There were no signs, no velvet rope to indicate there was a private event happening so we went in through this big open door. There were a few people in the room with loud music playing," she told Newshub.
Tarlton says the pair weren't carrying any alcohol and were taking a look around when out of nowhere she was confronted.
"All of a sudden this angry man was yelling abuse at us, the foulest language, he came straight for me, grabbing me hard on the arms, really hurting me, pushing me backwards through the door I'd just come in. He didn't come for the man I was with.
"Then he baseball threw a heavy glass at my head, which really hit me hard. I had blood spurting out, you could see the bone in my skull, and it was incredibly shocking. I was trying to work out who was this man, what was happening and why didn't he speak to me? Why did he just verbally and physically assault me?"
Terrified and in shock, she managed to run down the stairs and ask for help. She was then taken to hospital and got stitched up before returning to the establishment to give a police statement.
In the days Tarlton says the event made her incredibly nervous to go out and be social. When she did find herself going out, she would be scanning the room, seeing who was there, attempting to identify who could be a potential trouble-maker and would make a note to keep away from that person.
"I would make sure I knew where the exits were, I'd keep an eye where security was, you name it, I'd be protective of myself. It was scary."
She says throughout the police investigation, she was extremely apprehensive about even just walking out of her front door.
"It made me very on-edge that there was this man out there that knew what I looked like, and that he probably wasn't very happy with me, it made me feel very unsafe because I didn't know what he looked like, I had been in such shock, it all happened in seconds.
"I had been concussed and had blood all down my face and my dress, I was so completely overwhelmed by that situation, I knew a man had done it and a lot about the attack but I couldn't remember his actual face and I put myself through a lot of therapy. I went to a specialist in violent assaults and I had to do a lot of work on myself to make myself brave again."
At Auckland District Court, Nash was sentenced to six months home detention for the assault on Tarlton, 18 months no drugs or alcohol, 18 months probation and was ordered to complete an intensive drug and alcohol course as well as an anti-violence course.
Tarlton says it took her a lot of courage to face Nash during the restorative justice process.
It was there she met the woman who had just married him who later went on to be the victim of his second conviction for this type of crime.
"I remember saying to them that I was concerned he might assault her because if he would assault a stranger, a woman in her 50s who harmlessly walked into a room, then I was concerned for his new wife's safety."
When Newshub approached Tarlton for her reaction to Nash's sentencing, she said she was "incredibly saddened" to hear of his wife's assault.
"My heart goes out to her."
She believes there are areas in the justice system that need attention after learning his sentence for his second assault on a woman was less than what he received over her own attack.
"I'm shocked by Dom Nash receiving another home detention when he's had that opportunity with me in the past, he definitely deserves some jail time."
