Ag 05 march, 2018

Page 1

Monday, March 5, 2018

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PHOTOS

To the rescue

P9

Ava, 6, and Indy, 5, test their CPR skills at Saturday’s Emergency Services Day at the Ashburton Showgrounds.

Children celebrate P2

Calculators come out P17

PHOTO KATIE TODD 030318-KT-210

15 years behind bars for rape An Ashburton man has been jailed for 15 years after being found guilty of five representative charges of rape against two young girls over a three-year-old period. The 51-year-old, who cannot be named to protect the identities of the children, was found guilty during an eight-day trial back in December and appeared in front of sentencing Judge Joanna Maze in the Timaru High Court on Friday. The man initially faced six charges of rape against the two children aged between six and 10 years when the offending took place but was found not guilty on one charge and guilty on the other five.

The man denied the charges throughout the court process. During the trial, jury members heard how the man regularly raped the two young girls, sometimes in their own beds. The victims said the offending happened before they went to school, and one was bribed with money. Judge Maze was succinct in her description of the offending. “They were both helpless,” she said. The prosecution sought an imprisonment of 16-17 years while the defence sought 12-13 years. One of the children sufferers from post-traumatic stress while the second

struggles with trusting adults. Maze also said that the defendant’s chance of parole in the future were in serious jeopardy due to his lack of accountability and that he continues to deny any wrongdoing. The defendant appeared with a number of supports during and after the trial while many turned out again on Friday to show their support with defence lawyer, Craig Ruane, also presenting letters of reference from supporters. During the trial, both complainants gave evidence along with other witnesses including DNA and medical experts while the defendant also took to the stand.

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Ag 05 march, 2018 by Ashburton Guardian - Issuu