An Iraqi immigrant who attacked his daughter did so for religious reasons, a court was told today.

In Wellington District Court today Ishak Ishak, 59, pleaded guilty to assaulting his daughter in April.

Judge Susan Thomas said Ishak, an Assyrian Christian, went into his 20-year-old daughter's room and confronted her about going out with a Muslim.

He hit her three to four times which only caused slight bruising to one of her hands, Judge Thomas said.

Ishak immigrated to New Zealand from Iraq in 1995.

His lawyer, Sue Earl, said there were "huge cultural issues" and much shame was brought to an Assyrian Christian family if they married a Muslim.

Ishak's daughter would have been excommunicated from the family, Ms Earl said.

The shame in the community of his daughter marrying a Muslim would have been worse than a conviction.

Ms Earl said Ishak realised he could not attack people like that in New Zealand, and would not do it again.

Judge Thomas said she understood it was a huge shock and shame for Ishak, and that he had felt "crazy" and did not know what to do.

However, she was concerned about the way he behaved.

She said no matter how shocked or shamed he was it did not excuse for assaulting anyone.

Judge Thomas convicted Ishak and ordered him to appear for sentencing within nine months.

fanatic?

antuskibang wrote:fanatic?

Tell me abt it bro ....