Elderly man jailed for sexual abuse of six girls
An elderly man jailed for historical sexual offending, including two charges of rape, against six girls is to die in prison.
Murray Kannewischer, 85, showed no emotion while listening to harrowing accounts from the victims at his sentencing in the Dunedin District Court yesterday.
‘‘Deep down I hope what you heard … was hard to listen to. It was for me, it was for them and by rights it should have been for you,’’ Judge Michael Crosbie told Kannewischer.
Kannewischer preyed on these young women with ‘‘self-induced justification’’, he said.
The judge praised the victims, who were more engaged in the court process than Kannewischer as he continued to deny his offending. He was sentenced to eight years’ jail on the lead charge of rape.
"I can't trust anyone because of [his] betrayal."
Abuse victim
A 49-year-old victim said Kannewischer stripped her of her childhood, which still impacted her.
She suffered post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, struggled to form relationships and had attempted suicide.
‘‘I can’t trust anyone because of [his] betrayal.’’
Another victim, a 57-year-old, recalled how her life changed after she was abused by Kannewischer, who threatened her if she told anyone.
‘‘I always felt scared. I never trusted anyone.’’
She told the court she ate bad food to make her fat, so no-one would be attracted to her and later started to drink.
Another woman told the court about the ‘‘weapons of submission’’ Kannewischer used, including a shoe, slipper and a strap.
The 60-year-old said she often felt inadequate, vulnerable and struggled to express her emotions. She said it had left her ‘‘deeply scarred’’.
Another 61-year-old victim said Kannewischer left her fearful and took respect from her.
‘‘You took my childhood away.’’ An Australian-based victim said Kannewischer’s offending left her with low self-esteem. She told him she hoped he would ‘‘get what you deserve’’.
Crown prosecutor Craig Power said the impact on the offenders was life-long and profound. Kannewischer’s violence was an aggravating factor in his offending.
His defence lawyer John Westgate, told the court that whatever sentence his client was given might ‘‘be the end of things for Mr Kannewischer’’.
His client suffered health difficulties and acknowledged he may die in prison.
Last month he was found guilty of 21 historical sex charges, including two counts of rape, and remanded in custody after the judge-alone trial.
The former Dunedin man denied abusing six girls between 1963 and 1983, prompting a five-day trial.
He did not take the stand during the trial, but the court heard claims he was a hardworking man who was known as a disciplinarian.
The court heard Kannewischer raped one 12-year-old while her mother was in hospital giving birth.