Woman photographed sex assault

Michelle Anne King was convicted and sentenced to six months' home detention for intentionally making an intimate visual recording of another woman's assault. Photo / Thinkstock

A "disgusting assault" on a young woman was photographed by another woman, Oamaru District Court has been told.

Michelle Anne King, 45, unemployed, was convicted and sentenced to six months' home detention for intentionally making the intimate visual recording in Christchurch on April 18.

Two co-offenders who face more serious charges, have denied their involvement and will face trial.

The victim in the matter was a 17-year-old female who befriended the defendants several weeks before the incident.

On the afternoon of April 18, the victim went to the Aranui home of one of the defendants as she had done on several occasions.

King was present and the group sat around the kitchen table talking and drinking alcohol.

Judge Paul Kellar said a co-offender then obtained various objects and the victim was allegedly sexually violated in various ways.

During the violation, King took photographs on a digital camera and the group joked that they would put them on Facebook and make a 21st birthday card for the victim.

After the assault, the defendants allegedly explained to the young woman it had "just been in fun", and the images were shown to another person who arrived at the address.

As a result of the assault, the victim received a sore shoulder and chest and minor bruising to the backs of her hands, but did not require medical attention.

King admitted taking the photographs, but stated that a co-offender told her to do so and she regretted it.

Judge Kellar said the incident had "undoubtedly" caused the victim embarrassment and shame.

"This is completely unacceptable and quite disgusting behaviour," he said.

"This is one of the most serious cases of its kind.

"You did not have to take those photographs and you did not have to show them [to someone else]."

Judge Kellar said he accepted that King, as a first-time offender, was "genuinely remorseful" for her part in the incident.