Man raped two women with disabilities

Brendon Cridge, 37, was jailed for seven years in 2009 for rape and yesterday was jailed for another four-and-a-half years for the second rape committed while he was on bail for the first offence. File photo / NZ Herald

A man raped an intellectually handicapped woman while he was already on bail for raping another woman with disabilities, a court has been told.

Brendon James Cridge, 37, of Tauranga was jailed for seven years in November 2009 for the first rape and yesterday was jailed for an additional four-and-a-half years for the second rape committed while he was on bail for the first offences, The Bay of Plenty Times reported.

He initially denied the second allegation but then pleaded guilty last month after an unsuccessful challenge in the Court of Appeal to have his first rape conviction kept secret from a jury.

Tauranga District Court was told the second rape victim woke up to find Cridge lying on top of her, pinning her down and holding his hand over her mouth.

Crown prosecutor Sharee Christensen sought a jail sentence starting at eight to 10 years and requested a minimum non-parole period because the victim suffered from an intellectual impairment.

Defence counsel Craig Tuck said Cridge was keen to take advantage of rehabilitative programmes in prison.

Judge Thomas Ingram found a minimum non-parole period was not needed as Cridge's release back to the community should be left to the Parole Board.

- NZPA