'Sexual deviant' jailed indefinitely

A "sexual deviant" who sexually assaulted a young girl over six years has been sentenced to at least 5-1/2 years' jail.

In November last year, a district court jury found Aaron Soloman Wanihi, 38, guilty of 11 sex-related charges.

The offending dated from December 1997 to November 2003 when the victim was aged between six and 12 years.

In December a second jury found him guilty of assault with intent to commit sexual violation, assault with intent to rob, and burglary.

Those charges related to a home invasion in November 2003, when Wanihi watched a woman shower and put on latex gloves before attacking her.

In the High Court at Hamilton yesterday, Justice Christopher Allan sentenced Wanihi, who he has described as a "sexual deviant", to preventive detention with a minimum 5-1/2 years in jail.

In sentencing him, Justice Allan said it was disturbing Wanihi's offending had escalated from previous convictions for domestic assault to unlawful sexual connection. It showed a high level of planning and premeditation.

"This offending combination is relatively rare," he said, commenting on the age difference of his victims.

Pre-sentence psychiatric reports showed Wanihi had no remorse, denied his offending, and was at high risk of committing more sexual offences. One report said that during the home invasion he was acting out a fantasy.

Victim-impact statements showed his victims were devastated and had suffered psychologically and emotionally.

The girl suffered behavioural problems, smoked cannabis, and had been running away from home and stealing.

The woman, who had been independent and used to living on her own, had moved home with her parents, was unable to be alone, and suffered from nightmares and flashbacks of the smell and feel of latex gloves.

"She believed if she had stopped struggling for a minute she would have been raped and murdered," Justice Allan said.

Crown prosecutor Mark Sturm said preventive detention was necessary because Wanihi was a risk to the community.

Defence lawyer Kit Clews argued a finite prison term would be more suitable because Wanihi had not been imprisoned for a lengthy period previously.

Wanihi's sentencing was moved up to the High Court last month to enable a preventive detention to be considered.

- NZPA