Wellington developer jailed for rape

A prominent Wellington property developer was yesterday jailed for rape, with his name suppression lifted and previous convictions brought to light.

In Wellington District Court, Bernard Brodie, 54, was sentenced to six years imprisonment for raping a drunk and drugged woman at his home in June 2004.

She went to the house with some girlfriends and ended up feeling ill after drinking and taking ecstasy, the Dominion Post reported today.

Brodie took the woman into his bedroom and raped her.

He later claimed the pair had consensual oral sex but denied having had intercourse.

Brodie was previously convicted and sentenced for other sexual offences, including indecent exposure and indecently touching a woman in a bar.

His name was suppressed pending the outcome of the rape trial.

Sentences of reparation and community work were ordered in those cases, but yesterday Judge Denys Barry cancelled outstanding community work and traffic fines to allow Brodie to pay $6000 owed to the earlier victims.

Defence lawyer John Tannahill said Brodie had undertaken counselling after becoming embroiled in illicit drugs and alcohol.

- NZPA