Pack rape accused found guilty

Four men have been found guilty of abducting and raping a woman at Mt Maunganui 16 years ago.

The men, aged 40, 46, 47 and 53 had pleaded not guilty in the High Court at Wellington to the charges.

Verdicts were returned just before midday by a jury of eight women and four men. They came at the end of 12 hours of deliberation, following a two and half week trial.

The victim, who is now 37, said that in January 1989, she was lured to a beach hut on the pretext of having lunch with one of the men, and was raped there.

The men said she was a willing partner in a group sex session.

Key details in the trial have been suppressed.

Two of the men were acquitted of charges of sexual violation with an object.

All four men will be sentenced on August 5.

Name suppression was lifted on two of the men.

Peter Mana McNamara and Warren Graham Hales were both found guilty of abduction and rape, and did not face any other charges.

The names of the other two men remain suppressed. They were found guilty of rape, abduction and unlawful sexual connection and one of them found guilty of an extra rape charge.

All four men were remanded in custody for pre-sentencing reports and sentencing on August 5.

- NZPA