A Kiwi accused of beating his ex-girlfriend with a motorcycle helmet in Bali, Indonesia has chosen to defend himself in trial. Richard James Wackrow allegedly slapped the German woman, known in police documents as Lisa Christina, during an argument in September.

40-year-old Wackrow, who is originally from Wellington but has been living in Australia for the past eight years, allegedly got into an argument with Christina after they fell off a motorbike in Jimbaran on September 4. He was seen by witnesses slapping the designer before hitting her with the helmet. The assault left her with broken nose and damaged cheek and eyes. The man’s nephew took the woman to a hospital.

As Sky News reports, the witnesses related what they saw to the court, and Wackrow confirmed their story. He chose to defend himself, although he would be aided by a translator.

If convicted, he faces up to two years and eight months in jail. Christina is not required to appear in court, though prosecutors sought her cooperation via the German embassy.

TVNZ adds, Wackrow was originally wanted in relation to a separate theft case. He was arrested in September at the Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali just as he was about to fly to Australia. He was accused of stealing a surfboard, mobile phone, two watches and about A$700 cash from American tourist Mary Olejniczak with whom Wackrow had stayed in June. He did not just steal from her, he also allegedly threatened to kill her and “damage her face” in an SMS message.

According to police report, he slept over at Olejniczak’s house the night before he allegedly stole from him. For this case, Wackrow would have faced a maximum penalty of five years in prison if found guilty. However, the charges of stealing from and threatening to kill have been dropped, 3News reports.