William of the White Hand
Junior News Editor
New Zealand
Player imprisoned for sex with 12 year old
04 November 2005
A North Otago rugby player was yesterday sentenced to two years' jail on two charges of having unlawful sexual intercourse with a 12-year-old girl.
Twenty-year-old labourer Rutikha Ilolahia appeared before Judge Phil Moran in Timaru District Court yesterday for sentence on the charges. Judge Moran declined leave to apply for home detention.
The court was told Ilolahia had come to New Zealand from Tonga two years ago as a high school student on a rugby scholarship.
Defence counsel Sarah Saunderson-Warner said the consequences of Ilolahia's offending had been huge, bringing shame on his family and jeopardising a promising rugby career.
Coming to New Zealand had seen him move from a Christian family environment and lose the support from his family. <b
r>
"He went from a Christian culture to an alcoho
l-laden rugby culture in New Zealand."
Ms Saunderson-Warner said the first offence had come about when Ilolahia had been out socialising. He went to bed drunk, and woke up to find the victim in his bed.
"He knew how old she was, and knew it was wrong, but wasn't able to resist the temptation."
Further offending followed a similar pattern, until Ilolahia was caught having intercourse with the girl.
Ilolahia had been co-operative with police, and his admissions of previous intercourse had resulted in a second representative charge being laid.
In sentencing, Judge Moran said the offending had involved a breach of trust, and said Ilolahia was in a position of power over the little girl. There was a significant age difference between the two.
"You had intercourse with her not once, but maybe five or six times, you infected her with chlamydia, and the impact on her of the diseas
e th
at you inflicted on her will be long lasting and far reaching.
"You tell me that this young lad
y initiated these offences, that she came on to you. I find that very difficult to believe, but even if that's the case, it doesn't excuse what you did."
Ilolahia had never committed any offence before, and apart from this, had lived an exemplary life and was of exemplary character.
"You are talented and highly regarded by all those who know you."
Judge Moran noted that Ilolahia was virtually alone in New Zealand, and when he was released from prison, he would be sent home to Tonga.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3466795a11,00.html
Player imprisoned for sex with 12 year old
04 November 2005
A North Otago rugby player was yesterday sentenced to two years' jail on two charges of having unlawful sexual intercourse with a 12-year-old girl.
Twenty-year-old labourer Rutikha Ilolahia appeared before Judge Phil Moran in Timaru District Court yesterday for sentence on the charges. Judge Moran declined leave to apply for home detention.
The court was told Ilolahia had come to New Zealand from Tonga two years ago as a high school student on a rugby scholarship.
Defence counsel Sarah Saunderson-Warner said the consequences of Ilolahia's offending had been huge, bringing shame on his family and jeopardising a promising rugby career.
Coming to New Zealand had seen him move from a Christian family environment and lose the support from his family. <b
r>
"He went from a Christian culture to an alcoho
l-laden rugby culture in New Zealand."
Ms Saunderson-Warner said the first offence had come about when Ilolahia had been out socialising. He went to bed drunk, and woke up to find the victim in his bed.
"He knew how old she was, and knew it was wrong, but wasn't able to resist the temptation."
Further offending followed a similar pattern, until Ilolahia was caught having intercourse with the girl.
Ilolahia had been co-operative with police, and his admissions of previous intercourse had resulted in a second representative charge being laid.
In sentencing, Judge Moran said the offending had involved a breach of trust, and said Ilolahia was in a position of power over the little girl. There was a significant age difference between the two.
"You had intercourse with her not once, but maybe five or six times, you infected her with chlamydia, and the impact on her of the diseas
e th
at you inflicted on her will be long lasting and far reaching.
"You tell me that this young lad
y initiated these offences, that she came on to you. I find that very difficult to believe, but even if that's the case, it doesn't excuse what you did."
Ilolahia had never committed any offence before, and apart from this, had lived an exemplary life and was of exemplary character.
"You are talented and highly regarded by all those who know you."
Judge Moran noted that Ilolahia was virtually alone in New Zealand, and when he was released from prison, he would be sent home to Tonga.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3466795a11,00.html