Rapist's identity revealed after request from victim

Photo / Nigel Marple

A woman attacked and raped by her partner of 12 years has told the court she wants his name published, as he begins a 7 year jail sentence.

Fred Falwasser, 56, of West Melton, pleaded guilty in the Christchurch District Court to charges of assault and sexual violation by rape, and a charge of having sex with an underage girl in a separate incident.

Judge Philip Moran said yesterday he would grant the request and allow Falwasser's name and relationship with the victim to be published, even though it would tend to identify the woman.

The identities of the victims of sex attacks are normally automatically suppressed.

Both victims' impact statements were read in court by Crown prosecutor Tim Mackenzie.

He said the younger victim felt great relief when Falwasser was held in custody because she had been locking herself in her house and feared seeing him in the street.

Falwasser's partner said she was injured in the assault and rape, which occurred four days apart.

She had moved to a women's refuge and resigned from her job and was now on the domestic purposes benefit. She was still in pain.

The couple had planned to get married next year, but the woman said her dreams had now been destroyed.

Defence lawyer Pip Hall said Falwasser had undertaken counselling since the offending.

She said there was a background of substance abuse and her client's guilty pleas had acknowledged his responsibility and remorse. He was expecting a significant jail term.

Judge Moran said that when the couple had argued in April, Falwasser had held a rifle to the woman's head and told her he was going to blow her head off.

She knew the rifle was not loaded, and pushed it away. Falwasser then threw her over a couch, injuring her back.

Four days later, he raped her woman after she refused to have sex because she had had a medical procedure the previous week and was debilitated and in pain.

The judge said Falwasser had thought he was entitled and had simply helped himself.

- NZPA