Navtej Singh killer raised in home of sex violence

Avemaoe Chankee (left) and husband Iosua (centre) were found guilty of abusing their 13-year-old niece. After the couple were jailed, Anitelea Chan Kee (right) and his brothers went to live with their biological father. Photos / Supplied, Brett Phibbs

The murderer of liquor store owner Navtej Singh has a dark family past, with his adoptive parents jailed for the horrific sexual and physical abuse of their niece.

A source said Anitelea Chan Kee and his brothers went to live with their biological father when the adoptive parents, Iosua and Avemaoe Chankee, were found guilty in 1999. It's understood they took their surnames when they were formally adopted by the couple.

The niece went to live in the family's South Auckland home in 1990 when she was 13.

Anitelea Chan Kee, 22, was found guilty this week of murdering Mr Singh, 30, during an aggravated robbery of his liquor store on June 7, 2008. Chan Kee shot him in the abdomen and he died in hospital the following day. He unsuccessfully argued that the shooting was accidental and he pulled the trigger under extreme stress.

He has been remanded in custody for sentencing on April 23.

The girl's family sent her to live with Iosua and Avemaoe Chankee in 1990 from Samoa because they wanted her to have a better life and education - but she began to be abused just weeks after her arrival.

Herald files show Iosua Chankee admitted 10 sex-related charges, two of assault with a weapon and one of injuring with intent. Avemaoe Chankee was found guilty at a High Court trial of four rape charges, injuring with intent, procuring an abortion and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Iosua Chankee was jailed for 14 years and Avemaoe Chankee was sentenced to eight years'. Avemaoe was released in January 2005 and her husband in September 2008.

In freeing them, the Parole Board imposed strict conditions not to associate with anyone younger than 16.

Iosua Chankee was also ordered to undertake "culturally appropriate" treatment for child sex offending and violent offending.

During the 1999 trial, the court heard Iosua Chankee began to rape the girl once a week but this soon increased and became daily.

"During those years that this was all taking place, I never told anyone about it. I had no one to tell," the victim said. "I was ashamed about what was taking place and was terribly afraid of what would happen if I told anyone about it."

When she was 15, she got pregnant to Iosua Chankee. His wife then assaulted her, causing an abortion. A week after she miscarried, the girl was raped again. This time she was held down by Avemaoe Chankee.

The Herald reported at the time that when discussing with police how his wife assisted him in raping and abusing the niece, Iosua Chankee told police: "Good wife, eh," and laughed.

The niece finally escaped as a 22- year-old only after the couple beat her with a table leg. That beating left her barely recognisable.