Sailor jailed, kicked out of navy, for sex offence

HMNZS Te Kaha was in port at San Diego when the incident occurred. Photo / Brett Phibbs

A navy chef has been sent to prison and kicked out of the navy after being found guilty of attempting to sexually violate a female sailor while their ship was in San Diego last year.

Able Chef Peneha Sola was found guilty at a court martial at the navy base in Auckland today of attempted sexual violation. He was sentenced to 20 months in a civilian prison and dismissed from the navy.

The frigate HMNZS Te Kaha and the supply ship HMNZS Endeavour were making the first naval ship visit to a mainland United States port for 25 years when the incident occurred.

Sola and the female sailor were part of a group who had gone ashore and were drinking at hotel when the incident occurred.

- NZPA