Full Breakdown
Former Shock Jock Iain Stables Sentenced for Assault on Partner
7/1/2026, 10:06:05 PM
Assault Incident and Court Findings
In November 2024, Iain Stables and his partner argued in their South Auckland bedroom. The partner’s comment “enraged” Stables, who then struck her repeatedly around the head, pulled her hair, shouted, and, in the darkened room, shoved her hard enough to make her fall. He stood over her, slapped her, and punched her chest, leaving a lump on her head and bruising to her eye, chest and neck. She later attended a restorative-justice conference, accepted Stables’ apology, and the court sentenced him to 18 months intensive supervision with a 50 % discount for his guilty plea, mental-health considerations and completion of a stopping-violence course.
Legal History and Prior Controversies
Stables gained notoriety as a shock-jock on The Edge and ZM. In 2000 he was fined $1,100 for impersonating an Interpol detective in a prank call. A 2004 false shark-sighting alert led to the evacuation of about 800 beachgoers. A 2010 confrontation with a Jetstar employee ended his pending Radio Hauraki contract. In 2012 a jury convicted him of punching his ex-girlfriend’s brother, resulting in four months community detention for a “violent tantrum” and an unrelated assault on an advertiser.
Key Figures
- Iain Stables – former radio presenter.
- Partner (victim) – unnamed woman injured in the assault.
- Judge Lynn Hughes – Auckland District Court judge.
- Peter Tomlinson – Stables’ defence lawyer.
Data & Statistics
- Assault: November 2024, South Auckland.
- Sentence: 18 months intensive supervision (50 % discount).
- Prior fine: $1,100 (2000).
- Community detention: 4 months (2012).
- Evacuation: ~800 people (2004).
Official Statements & Responses
Judge Hughes stressed that a partner should feel safe at home and cited Stables’ history of family-violence offences. She reduced the sentence due to his guilty plea, documented mental-health issues, a recent brain injury, completion of a stopping-violence course and the restorative-justice meeting. Lawyer Tomlinson said Stables suffers from a traumatic brain injury, has limited recall of the night, and accepted full responsibility.
Criticism & Opposition
The court noted a pattern of violent conduct, referencing assaults on a Jetstar employee, an advertiser and a family member, and called the behaviour a “violent tantrum.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “I said his airline was a f*ing loser and I called him a f*ing loser,” — Iain Stables
- “I have nothing left,” — Iain Stables
- “I have lost my career, I have lost everything ... what have I got to gain? I have already been screwed.” — Iain Stables
- “You both gained something out of being able to meet in that forum,” — Judge Lynn Hughes
- “Keep making good progress and I won’t see you here in future,” — Judge Lynn Hughes
What’s Next
Stables must undergo assessments for treatment, counselling and non-violence programmes approved by his probation officer. Ongoing intensive supervision will monitor compliance, and any breach could trigger further court action.
