DNA sample nabs toilet rapist

A DNA sample has helped to convict a Christchurch man of raping a disabled man in a Nelson public toilet, five years after the incident.

Sickness beneficiary Peter Gordon Knight, 52, was remanded for sentence after admitting the charge.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Wayne Johnston told Nelson District Court said that at 1.30pm on November 15, 1999, the 22-year-old physically and mentally disabled victim entered a disabled toilet in Victory Square.

While he was standing at a urinal, Knight entered the cubicle and shut the door behind him.

Mr Johnston said Knight grabbed the victim and forced him to the floor, before lowering his pants and forcibly having sex with the man as he held him against the wall.

Knight sodomised the victim for several minutes, repeatedly swearing at the man, who was terrified and in considerable pain.

Knight then left and walked home, after telling the victim not to say what had happened.

The victim waited in the toilet cubicle for several minutes before going to Nelson Hospital and telling a caregiver what happened.

Mr Johnston said that despite extensive police inquiries, Knight was not identified at the time, but in August this year police received information that he may have been responsible for the attack.

Mr Johnston said Knight was spoken to by police on September 13. He declined to be interviewed, but did consent to a DNA sample being taken.

Forensic analysis showed that semen samples located on the victim's clothing and the floor of the cubicle in 1999 were at least 10 million times more likely to have come from Knight than any other male selected at random from the New Zealand population.

Knight was interviewed by police and admitted sexually violating the victim.

Mr Johnston said Knight told police he was sexually abused as a child, and saw the victim as "easy pickings" because of his obvious disabilities.

Defence lawyer Tony Bamford said Knight had an extensive and traumatic history of sexual abuse.

Judge David McKegg remanded Knight on bail until January 20 for a pre-sentence report and sentencing.

- NZPA