Sex attacker loses appeal

A man jailed for a horrific attack on a Dutch couple in which the woman was repeatedly sexually violated at knifepoint in front of her partner has failed in his bid to get the sentence reduced.

Maakiti Joseph Tipene, 25, was sentenced in April to 10 years' imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 6 years, after the January 15 attack.

Tipene burst in on the backpacking pair, a 22-year-old woman and 25-year-old man, as they slept in their stationwagon at a camping ground in Tuatapere, Southland. Tipene, using the pillowcase to conceal his identity, demanded cash and was handed $750.

He then pulled a sleeping bag off the woman, raped her and forced her to perform sexual acts on him while holding the knife to her. He also made her perform sex acts with her partner.

Tipene appealed against the sentence, saying it was manifestly excessive.

However, in a decision released yesterday, the Court of Appeal dismissed Tipene's application, saying it was satisfied with the sentence.

"This was extremely cruel offending. It was premeditated," it said.

"The physical injuries to the female victim were still present months after the rape. The psychological effect on both victims is likely to be lifelong."

The attack prompted the Netherlands Government to upgrade travel advisories to its citizens looking to come to New Zealand, warning them of "serious crime" here.

- NZPA