Man given five years jail

Press, 12 September 1987, Page 4

Man given five years jail

PA Auckland A violent and sadistic attack on a woman failed to become rape more because of a lack of capability by the accused than a lack of intent, Mr Justice Thorp told the High Court at Auckland. A Heiensville man, aged 25, whose name was suppressed until after an associated trial, was sentenced to five years jail on a charge of sexual violation and one year’s

imprisonment on a theft i charge. i The Court was told that I the incident arose after the accused had been ; drinking in a tavern for up to seven hours. Defence counsel, Mr Roger Chambers, said the accused saw the victim “flitting from one person to another” and later met her. However, the prosecution held that the accused followed the woman from

the hotel and tried to grab a diamond ring from her hand. When she fled the accused followed her and tried to attack her sexually, the Court was told. Mr Chambers said psychiatrists had determined the accused had an alarming make-up and a “sick” personality. The accused, who had drug and alcohol problems, was unlikely to be helped in an open community, he said.