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An Auckland man found guilty of raping a German tourist in a Wellington backpackers' hostel in February last year was yesterday sentenced to seven years in prison.
Natas Simi, 32, pleaded not guilty during his October trial in the Wellington District Court, saying he believed the sex was consensual.
Simi told police he was in a relationship with the victim.
A jury found him guilty.
Judge Michael Behrens said yesterday the pair had kissed with some affection the night before the rape and an attraction had been building up over a number of weeks.
He also said Simi had made no attempt to conceal the crime, having returned to the hostel after the incident and fully co-operated with police.
On another charge of driving with excessive breath alcohol, he was sentenced to one month in prison and disqualified from driving for six months.
The sentences are to be served concurrently.
- NZPA
