KEY POINTS:
A man was sentenced to five years in jail yesterday after he earlier pleaded guilty to raping his aunt at his 21st birthday party.
The Hamilton District Court was told the 21-year-old, whose name was suppressed to protect the victim, had been celebrating his birthday with extended family last October when the rape occurred , the Waikato Times reported.
When the man became intoxicated during the party, his aunt invited him to share a bed with her and her two young daughters.
While the victim was asleep, the man removed her pants and raped her. He admitted the rape when the victim confronted him the next day.
Counsel for the defence Kit Clews said the man was naive and immature, and that he was genuinely remorseful for his actions.
Crown prosecutor Jamie O'Sullivan said the man's offending represented an abuse of trust and took place in the presence of children.
In sentencing the man, Judge Phillip Connell noted a victim impact statement which described the long-term emotional harm on the victim.
- NZPA
