KEY POINTS:
A 25-year-old shearer who subjected a Dutch tourist to an hour-long sex attack at knifepoint pleaded guilty to nine charges in Invercargill District Court yesterday.
Maakiti Joseph Tipene, of Tuatapere, admitted one charge of rape, three of sexual violation, two of unlawful detention, two of threatening to kill and one of burglary arising from an incident in which a couple from Holland were attacked in their stationwagon at a camping ground in Tuatapere, western Southland, on January 15.
Tipene's counsel Hugo Young did not apply to renew an interim name suppression order.
Tipene was remanded in custody by Judge Kevin Phillips to reappear for sentence on April 9.
One further charge of sexual violation was still being investigated, police said.
Police prosecutor Rob Mills told the court Tipene arrived home at a nearby address about 5.15am on January 15 after a night out drinking.
He got ready to go to work but took a pillow case, tea towel and filleting knife when he left.
About 6.30am the Dutch couple were awoken when Tipene, using the pillow case as a disguise, broke into their stationwagon and awning demanding cash.
The couple handed over $750, but Tipene then pulled a sleeping bag off the female, Mr Mills said. The accused raped the woman and forced her to perform sexual acts on him, while holding the knife to her.
The attack continued for almost an hour before Tipene left in a van parked nearby. He told the couple not to move for two hours and threatened to kill them, Mr Mills said.
The male victim unbound his wrists, which had been tied with washing line, and called the police.
When spoken to by officers, Tipene admitted the attack and said he had intended only to rob the couple.
He said he was heavily intoxicated at the time and remembered only some of the events.
- NZPA
