Northland father sentenced for sexual connection with daughter’s friend after giving her alcohol

On one occassion the man took the girl to Wellingtons Bay (Whangaumu) and supplied her with alcohol. Photo / NZME

WARNING: This article discusses sexual assault and may be upsetting to some readers.

A young teen who sought refuge at a friend’s house amid struggles at home was left shattered after she fell prey to her friend’s father, who plied her with alcohol on several occasions before having sex with her.

The man appeared in the Whangārei District Court on Tuesday for sentencing on one charge each of indecently assaulting a female, sexual connection of a young person and unlawful sexual connection of a female aged 12-16.

The court heard the man, in his 30s, was the father of several children, including a young teen whose friend, the victim, would often sleep over.

On the first occasion of inappropriate conduct, the man supplied alcohol to his daughter and the victim, who was 13 and became so intoxicated she passed out on a bed.

When she woke, the man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, was beside her. He rolled on top of her, cuddled her, and then left the room.

The next time she stayed, the man drove her and his daughter to Wellingtons Bay, where he supplied them with alcohol.

After they drank the alcohol at the beach, he drove the girl home. During the car ride he held the victim’s hand and kissed her twice.

The final time she stayed at the house, the man gave the teen alcohol again. She was intoxicated and fell asleep before later waking to find him touching her indecently.

In the back of his truck later that day, he gave her more alcohol, kissed her then had sex with her.

The man went on to send the teen several texts, including that he enjoyed the sexual encounter, wanted to have sex with her again, and reassured her she would not be pregnant when she voiced concern.

The man appeared for sentence in the Whangārei District Court where both families were present. Photo / Michael Cunningham

At the man’s sentencing, the teen said in a victim impact statement read to the court that she had been having a tough time at home when she went to her friend’s house to stay.

She said her friend’s father had destroyed her trust.

“Afterwards I felt awful, I remember waking up the next morning and wanting to escape everything ... I hated myself for what had happened,” she said.

The girl said she had since worked hard to regain confidence, taken control of her life, rebuilt relationships at home and knows now, she deserves to be treated with respect.

“Even though I am still a work in progress, I am proud of how far I have come.

Judge Gene Tomlinson reminded the girl and her mother that the offending was not their fault.

“He took from [the victim] that which he should not have.”

A report to the court stated the man expressed remorse and “feels pathetic for what I did”.

Defence lawyer Arthur Fairley submitted his client was an exceptionally hard worker who accepted he was going to prison.

“If but for alcohol, he would not have made these terrible choices,” Judge Tomlinson said.

“If but for alcohol, we would not even be here,” Fairley responded.

Judge Tomlinson said he considered this “a crime of liquor” from a man who took advantage of those he should be protecting.

“That it happened on more than one occasion suggests to me a degree of ‘I will supply the liquor and see what happens’ certainly existed and allowed you to be, one, disinhibited yourself and, two, reduce the likelihood of resistance to your approaches.

“The age disparity is significant ... your victim was vulnerable because of her age and indeed, her intoxication.”

Judge Tomlinson sentenced the man to two years and six months in prison.

Shannon Pitman is a Whangārei-based reporter for Open Justice covering courts in the Te Tai Tokerau region. She is of Ngāpuhi/ Ngāti Pūkenga descent and has worked in digital media for the past five years. She joined NZME in 2023.