Man jailed for violating girl

A man whose sexual offending against a teenager spanned nine months is behind bars.

The man, 51, who was in a position of trust, wept in the Whanganui District Court on Thursday as his sister apologised for the horror he had inflicted on a 14-year-old girl. He was jailed for two years and 10 months.

Sweeping suppression orders prevent Stuff from revealing his name, relationship to the victim, profession and where the offending took place. It began in April last year when the girl was 14, and continued until she disclosed their inappropriate relationship in December. The man admitted his wrongdoing.

Although the offending did not include rough or demeaning sex acts, Judge Philip Crayton said it intensified as time went on and had caused emotional harm to a teen, who had already sought help for her mental health.

Sixteen wha¯ nau members sat in the public gallery as the man’s sister apologised on their behalf and described the offending as ‘‘unacceptable’’.

But her wha¯nau would continue to love and support him as he sought rehabilitation. ‘‘We offer our sincerest apologies for any pain caused by our brother,’’ she said. ‘‘We’re deeply remorseful. Our brother is a good and kind man, and he has made a positive impact on so many lives.’’

Crayton said the victim had suffered emotional harm and would struggle to form intimate relationships in the future.

‘‘Your offending is, in part, responsible for that,’’ he told the man. ‘‘She was vulnerable. She was, at the time, among the most vulnerable in our community.’’

The man had lost his marriage and his job, and he would be forced to ‘‘start again’’ once released, Crayton said.

‘‘You have effectively lost everything. This is repeated and serious offending where you clearly had an awareness of the long-term harm on your victim.’’

Part of being an adult was resisting temptation for ‘‘easy gratification’’.