Babysitter jailed for rape

A cannabis-affected teenager has been jailed for raping a 6-year-old girl he was babysitting.

The 18-year-old, who was 16 at the time of the offending, has begun a two-year jail term for the rape and sexual violation of the girl in early 2015.

Documents for his sentencing, in the Christchurch District Court, included an assessment connecting his harmful sexual behaviour with his use of cannabis.

Judge Jane Mcmeeken had seen reports on the youth, who has name suppression, that said his cannabis dependency was now in remission, but he also met the criteria for alcohol and synthetic cannabis abuse. The girl’s parents said in victim impact statements that they hoped the youth would get the help he needed. ‘‘They are incredibly generous statements, despite the pain that this whanau feels,’’ the judge said.

After the girl disclosed the offending, the teenager immediately apologised and pleaded guilty. He was originally dealt with in the Youth Court and had completed part of his sentence, but in March failed to turn up for judicial monitoring. He was arrested in April, remanded in custody and the case was sent to be dealt with in the adult jurisdiction.

Judge Mcmeeken said the youth’s early life was traumatic. His father was jailed and his mother had alcohol and drug issues that led to her jailing as well. He ended up in care and suffered abuse ‘‘in various forms’’.

With the father recently released from prison, the family came back together and the youth was expected to live with his parents while he did his original sentence.

The judge reduced his sentence because he had done part of the original sentence, and for his remorse and guilty plea. She jailed him for two years.