Teenage girl was sexually abused multiple times

A sex offender who abused a teenage girl on multiple occasions told police he knew what he did was wrong but could not control himself.

Daniel Shane Tunnicliffe, 29, appeared before Judge Gregory Hikaka in the New Plymouth District Court on Thursday facing two charges of sexual connection with a young person aged between 12 and 16.

Tunnicliffe, facing court via audio visual link (AVL), pleaded guilty to the charges through his lawyer, Nathan Bourke.

The police summary of facts stated Tunnicliffe, who was aged 25 at the time of his offending, contacted his victim through social media and she had told him she was only 15.

In August and September, 2017, his victim was home alone when Tunnicliffe arrived, entered her bedroom, sat on a chair and started talking to her about sexual acts before sexually abusing her. He returned to his victim’s home again when she was alone in November and December, 2017, and sexually abused her on multiple occasions. He acknowledged his offending when spoken to by police.

‘‘In explanation, the defendant admitted the facts as outlined and, although he knew it was wrong, could not control himself.’’

Judge Hikaka convicted Tunnicliffe, issued him with his first strike warning and remanded him in custody for sentencing on November 13. He ordered a full pre-sentence report be completed to look at all sentencing possibilities, including electronically monitored options.