Jail term for abduction of woman

Press, 21 May 1981, Page 4

Jail term for abduction of woman

ft 1 ■ Liquor and arrogance could - well. have contributed to the downfall of a young soldier and tragically his career in the Armv was ended, Mr Justice Roper was told in the High Court yesterday. His Honour sentenced the soldier, Hiwi Maynard Paenga, aged 24,. to 18 months imprisonment on a charge of abducting a woman, aged 22. Earlier in the month he was found guilty on the charge bv a jury which failed to reach a verdict on a charge of raping the woman. A new trial has been Ordered for that charge, t Evidence was given that Paenga met the woman at a party and took her home. When she would not let him go into the house which she shared with other young women, he forced her to go with him to his barracks at Burnham Military Camp where intercourse took place. Mr L. M. O’Reilly, for Paenga, said that liquor and arrogance could well have contributed to Paenga’s actions but there was much good in him. He sincerely regretted what he had done. The army was his whole

life but his career as a soldier was finished and his future was bleak., While his actions Were tragic for the girl/ they also constituted a tradegy- for Paenga. “‘Atiii took this girl away without her consent with intent to have sexual jntercouse with her,” his Honour said, “To your credit you are now full of shame. “You recognise the seriousness of the matter, as well ybii might. Apart from a terrifying experience for this girl when you took her 18 miles to the Army camp, you threatened her if she tried to escape?’ He had failed his family, a fine Maori family, and it.was a sad day for them, and his army career was also at an end. Sentencing him was no easy task and was a very sad one. Imprisonment was inevitable as counsel had recognised that sentences for abduction in the past had generally been in terms of years. Imposing a term of 18 months, his Honour said he would take into account Paenga’s age and record.