Man convicted of campervan sex attack

GISBORNE - A man who sexually attacked two English tourists in their campervan north of Gisborne last year grabbed both women by their hair and asked them if they wanted to live or die.

He threatened to take them "for a drive" and they both believed they were going to be killed, police told Gisborne District Court.

The 29-year-old Tokomaru Bay man, who has name suppression, yesterday pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection on August 29.

He was convicted and remanded in custody for sentencing on June 3.

His victims were two 19-year-old English university students who were touring New Zealand.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Dave Walker said the two women parked their campervan on a beach lay-by at Tokomaru Bay, 90km north of Gisborne, about 7.30pm on the night of August 28.

During a walk, they found a function was being held at the United Sports Club clubrooms and, believing it was a tavern, they went in.

Local residents freely conversed with them and bought them drinks, Mr Walker said.

The man who later attacked them was present, but did not speak to the women, the court was told.

The women returned to their campervan about 11.50pm.

Shortly afterwards, their attacker pulled up next to them in his car, turned off the lights and engine, and conversed with one of the women through the back sliding door of the campervan.

When it was made clear that they wanted to go to bed, he entered their van.

A very large man, he pinned down the two slightly-built tourists with his body and kissed them and forced them to kiss each other.

He violated both women before grabbing them by their hair and asking them if they wanted to live or die, and threatened to take them "for a drive".

One woman pleaded for their lives, Mr Walker said.

Later that morning the man was told by a friend that two tourists had been attacked.

He became concerned about washing his clothes and later shaved off his goatee beard and cropped his hair, the court was told.

When initially questioned by police, he admitted being at the clubrooms but denied attacking the women.

He had no previous convictions, Mr Walker said.

- NZPA