The man who killed and sexually violated five-year-old Sahara Baker-Koro has lost his appeal against conviction and sentence.
Kerry Charles Ratana pleaded guilty to Sahara's manslaughter, but denied sexually violating her in a Napier flat he shared with his then partner Chantally Baker.
He was found guilty by a jury last year and sentenced to 16 and a-half years in prison.
Ratana lodged an appeal against conviction and sentence but this was dismissed following a hearing in February.
In its decision, released today, the Court of Appeal agreed with the sentencing judge that Ratana was fortunate not to be charged with murder.
