Long jail term for robbery of backpacker

By Anne Clarkson

A man who threatened to kill a French woman staying at a central Christchurch backpacker hostel, then robbed her, has been sentenced to five years four months prison.

Mark Hetaraka, 33, was found guilty by a jury of robbing the woman, but at the end of the trial they could not agree on two other charges involving the armed robbery of a German woman, nor a charge of robbery of a French man.

In February 2011 the woman was woken by a knock on her door at the backpackers hostel in central Christchurch.

The man came in uninvited, punched her and put the bedcovers over her mouth to stop her screaming. He continued punching her, demanded money, said he had a knife, and threatened to kill her.

He stole a laptop, backpack, wallet, cash, and a cell phone.

At Christchurch District Court, Crown prosecutor Deidre Orchard said the woman was alone in the bedroom late at night, in the dark, when she was confronted by Hetaraka. She did not know if anyone was there to help her, and Hetaraka injured her, and threatened to kill her with a knife.

Defence counsel Rupert Glover said Hetaraka threatened the woman with a knife but did not have one. He said Hetaraka had no previous convictions for robbery.

Judge Gary MacAskill said Hetaraka punched the woman with his closed fist several times. She received a cut inside her lip, grazing, and a sore jaw. Her victim impact report said she had emotional consequences, with nightmares.

Hetaraka had previous burglary convictions, and had been in prison, he said.

His pre-sentence report said he posed a high risk of harm to others, especially females, and a high risk re-offender.

He sentenced Hetaraka to prison, and ordered him to pay reparation for the robbery of $3270, and an emotional harm payment of $2000 to the woman.

He read Hetaraka the first of the three strikes warnings which impose heavier sentences on repeat violent offenders.