A 22-year-old man who indecently assaulted his 16-year-old niece was sentenced to 40 hours' community work and six months' supervision in Masterton District Court yesterday.
Defence lawyer Jock Blathwayt said he understood that the family had held a meeting and acknowledged that they wanted to go forward and wanted the man to attend further counselling.
Mr Blathwayt said the man had completed a non-violence course.
Judge Michael Behrens gave the offender a first strike warning, meaning that if he is convicted of another serious offence he will receive a final warning and, if sentenced to imprisonment, will serve that sentence in full without the possibility of parole. He also required the offender to attend any programmes and counselling as directed by the probation service.
Judge Behrens said the assault had caused anguish and disruption in the family.
