Timaru man admits raping girl, 15

A Timaru man was jailed for eight years yesterday for the rape of a 15-year-old girl.

Timaru District Court heard how Joshua Riki Keen, 26, was with a group of people, including the victim, who went to Talbot Park Forest reserve on Guy Fawkes Day last year.

At one stage the girl left a vehicle to go to a toilet and was followed by Keen, who ended up taking her behind the toilet block and having oral sex and intercourse with her, the Timaru Herald reported.

Keen initially denied sexual activity took place, but later admitted it to a probation officer, claiming it was consensual.

Judge Raoul Neave sentenced him to eight years on the rape charge, with a six-year concurrent term added for another charge of unlawful sexual connection.

The judge said the outcome may have been different if Keen had admitted to the sexual activity from the start.

The Crown said the incident had significantly affected the victim, who had described the trial process as horrible and humiliating,

- NZPA