Murdered teen had allegedly seen his killer rape

The teenager stabbed to death and dumped in the Clutha River early last year had allegedly witnessed his killer rape a woman a fortnight earlier, according to previously suppressed court evidence.

The body of Michael Hutchings, 18, was found wrapped in a mattress protector and weighted down with heavy metal bars in the Clutha River near Kaitangata on January 12 last year. He had knife wounds in his neck and stomach.

Christopher Wayne Patterson, 38, was given a life sentence with a 13-year non-parole period for murdering Mr Hutchings, and his de facto partner Nichole Field was sentenced to two years' jail for being an accessory after the fact.

No motive for the murder was offered by the Crown during the case.

Judge John MacDonald has now lifted his earlier suppression order on details of a rape complaint against Patterson and Field.

The Southland Times, which sought to have the order lifted, today reported that Patterson and Field had also been charged with the rape of a young milking shed worker on December 28, 2007.

Judge MacDonald suppressed publication of it, fearing it could prejudice the rights of Patterson and Field to a fair trial over the murder.

Once the pair were convicted and sentenced for their parts in Mr Hutchings' murder, the Crown decided not to proceed with the rape charges and they were withdrawn.

The Times understands the rape complaint was not made until four or five days after the inquiry into Mr Hutchings' murder began.

The alleged victim said she had gone to Patterson and Field's house on Old Coach Rd and Mr Hutchings had been there.

They had been playing cards and she was asked if she wanted to play strip poker. She had about four drinks but said she still knew what she was doing.

The woman said Field held her down and Patterson raped her.

Michael Hutchings had been in the room at the time and was laughing about it, she said.

- NZPA