Rape victims concerned about trial treatment
A Christchurch man’s two young rape victims have been left with symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder and concerns about their treatment during his jury trial.
Daniel Martin Robson, 37, was jailed for 14 years by Christchurch District Court Judge David Saunders who also imposed a minimum term of six years before he can be considered for parole.
Both victims were aged under 16 when he raped them, and he was found guilty of five indecent assaults against one of them. The girls they were not family members and the offences were described in court as “opportunistic”.
One rape occurred in Linwood Park while the other took place at a house in eastern Christchurch about two years later.
Judge Saunders noted that the second girl had been admitted to Hillmorton Hospital after the rape, having tried to commit suicide.
“There has been a great deal of harm to each of them,” said the judge. “Both of them show symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder.
“I have read about the impact it has had on their personal lives, and their concerns about the way in which their lives were unpicked during the course of lengthy cross-examination. They were asked a number of very personal questions about their lives and how these allegations came to be made.
“I have to accept that is the way the courts have to deal with these matters under current law. Maybe Parliament will have another look at it in due course,” said the judge.
Robson maintained all through his trial that there had been no sexual misconduct.
The judge said both girls had been young and vulnerable when the offences occurred.
He referred to Robson’s complete denials for all the charges, and told him: “You are entitled to your views about the matter, but I am bound by the verdicts of the jury, which spent at least two days in deliberation going through the extensive evidence called at trial.”
Defence counsel Phillip Allan said they were Robson’s first convictions. He said it was clear from the evidence that Robson was a polite and friendly person who had got on well with many people, and one of them had written a letter in support for the sentencing. He urged that no non-parole term be imposed.
The court was told that Robson had written a letter from prison, which Crown prosecutor Kathy Bell said stemmed more from self-pity than from genuine regret or remorse.
In it, Robson said: “I am sorry for what has happened. If I could go back and change things, I would.”
Judge Saunders commented: “Whether that is an acknowledgement that the verdict is correct and you will accept treatment remains to be seen.”
Category: Focus
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