Historic rape 'animal-like'

Joseph Reekers was convicted of the "animal-like" rape of a young woman more than 22 years before he abducted and killed Marie Jamieson.

Reekers was sentenced to five-and-a-half years for the rape, and the judge described his behaviour as not much better than animal-like.

In that crime, Reekers, then 22, acted with an associate. Herald files show the offences arose from an alleged gang initiation and took place over five days.

In sentencing, Justice Sinclair said the crime could only be described as appalling. Reekers and his associate had submitted the woman to "gross indecencies".

It is understood the associate - whom the Herald has not identified, for legal reasons - is still living in West Auckland.

He was questioned and had a DNA sample taken as part of the Marie Jamieson inquiry.

The associate was a likely suspect because of his previous offending with Reekers, and has an extensive criminal record that includes injuring a prostitute when holding a 30cm kitchen knife to her throat.

Reekers has 87 previous convictions, including escaping custody and assisting the escape of a prisoner.

Although he has pleaded guilty to killing Marie Jamieson, it has always been thought that two offenders may have been involved in her murder.