Jailed for rape of girls

A 51-year-old Ashburton man found guilty of five representative charges of rape against two young girls has been jailed for 15 years.

The man, who cannot be named to protect the identities of the children, initially faced six representative charges of rape against the girls and was found guilty of five following an eight-day trial in the Timaru District Court in December.

Crown prosecutor Andrew McRae wanted a sentence of 16 to 17 years, while defence lawyer Craig Ruane sought 12 to 13 years.

Yesterday at the Timaru District Court, sentencing Judge Joanna Maze said the extent of harm to the children was an aggravating feature of the offending.

‘‘Sexuality of children before puberty leads to significant emotional harm,’’ Judge Maze said.

One child suffered post traumatic stress disorder while the second presented greater difficulty with a mistrust of adults.

The girls were aged eight to ten at the time of the offending, which took place over two and a half years to 2016.

‘‘They were both helpless,’’ she said. ‘‘We all share a responsibility for keeping children safe.

‘‘You do not accept the verdicts. ‘‘You continue to deny wrongdoing, that is unlikely to make you a favourable candidate for parole.’’

Ruane presented a number of letters of reference from friends and supporters during and after the trial and many people were at court to support the defendant at sentencing on Friday.

The man was found not guilty of raping one of the girls in a spa pool, but was found guilty of raping the other one in a pool and of raping both girls in their own beds and in his bedroom.

The victims said the offending happened in the mornings, before they went to school, and one girl said he bribed her with money.

Both complainants gave evidence during the trial, along with other witnesses, DNA and medical experts. The defendant also gave evidence.