Jail avoided for sexual violation of underage girl

A Wairarapa man, 18, has been convicted of sexually violated a 13-year-old girl, knowing she was underage.

Liam Alfred Butcher previously pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawful sexual connection with a person under 16 and had interim name suppression but his name can now be published.

Butcher appeared in Masterton District Court last week before Judge Arthur Tompkins.

The offence happened in March while Butcher and the 13-year-old watched movies in the garage of a family home.

During the night, the girl climbed under the blankets, they started kissing and he sexually violated her.

Judge Tompkins convicted and sentenced Butcher to two years' intensive supervision, ordered him to attend an alcohol and drug programme and to abide by three recommendations made by a probation officer in a pre-sentence report.

The judge also served him a first strike under the three-strikes law which means he would go to jail, serving a full sentence without parole, if Butcher is convicted again of a serious sexual or violence offence.

Solicitor Louise Elder represented Butcher, saying he needed specialist treatment.

"She [the girl] was fairly mature for her years but he did know she was underage and he shouldn't have had sex with her."

He was a young man and involved in an educational programme three times a week, Ms Elder said.

"He's trying to get on with his life."

Ms Elder said Butcher had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

Judge Tompkins said after reading the victim impact statement, the summary of facts and the pre-sentence report, a sentence of supervision would be appropriate.

"I'm yet to be convinced there is a need for anything else.

"Predatory grooming doesn't appear to be a feature."