Tauranga, March 4 NZPA - A teenage father jailed for burglary last Friday was back before Tauranga District Court today on an assault charge.

Traan Kino, 17, was being held at Rotorua police station while waiting to get into Waikeria Prison when he attacked another detainee, Judge Louis Bidois was told.

Defence lawyer Nicholas Dutch said Kino punched the other prisoner twice in the left eye after he said something insulting during a meal.

"So you felt you had to retaliate in the way that you did?" asked the judge.

"Well, you didn't have to. Obviously even prisoners have rights."

He added a month to the year and nine months sentence imposed on February 27.

Kino, who has a two month old baby, tried hard to avoid a jail term when he was sentenced last week on two charges of burglary and one each of attempted burglary, receiving, theft, intentional damage and breaching release conditions.

The crimes were committed almost immediately after release from a previous term behind bars.

When he came before the court on those charges in January, Judge Peter Rollo granted bail to Kino, who had just become a father, saying it was about time the teenager began to honour his responsibilities.

But the 17-year-old breached his curfew within three hours of his release from court.

Back in front of the same judge, the new dad begged to be bailed again, saying his birthday was a few days later.

The "one last chance" plea was rejected and he was remanded in custody until his sentencing five days ago.

At that appearance before Judge Paul Geoghegan, Kino wanted home detention so he could be a good parent to his infant.

That intention had not interfered with his desire to keep burgling properties, said the judge, adding: "You will be a good father when you stop offending -- not before."

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