A French woman who was kidnapped and sexually assaulted while hitchhiking from Taupo to Napier has received an apology on behalf of all New Zealanders.
It came from Judge James Weir in the Rotorua District Court yesterday after a jury found unemployed Tauranga man, Stuart Maru Harris, 28, guilty of kidnapping, sexual violation and indecent assault.
Judge Weir told the 23-year-old victim, who was in court, that no one should have to suffer the trauma and ordeal she had experienced. He asked her to prepare a victim impact statement to be taken into account when he sentenced Harris on April 5.
The judge said Harris, who he remanded in custody, had eight pages of previous criminal convictions, including violence.
Jurors weren't able to reach a unanimous verdict on the kidnapping charge, delivering a guilty verdict by a majority of 11 to one. Verdicts on the sexual offences were unanimous.
