Man admits raping step daughter

A 40-year-old man pleaded guilty in court on Tuesday to raping his 13-year-old stepdaughter while the girl's mother was asleep in the same house.

The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his stepdaughter, appeared in Napier District Court where he entered guilty pleas to one charge of unlawful sexual connection and one charge of rape.

A summary of facts said the man had been in a relationship with the girl's mother since she was three years old.

The night of the first offence, the victim's mother was asleep in the main bedroom while the man was asleep in the lounge.

He entered the bedroom of his stepdaughter and raped her. He told her if she spoke to her mother about the incident, he would hit her.

Just over a week later, the victim was again asleep in her bedroom when the man entered her room and sexually violated her.

During the incident, the man heard his partner get up in the bedroom next door.

He went to leave the room and was in the doorway as the girl's mother walked past.

She asked him what he was doing and noticed he was sweating.

After she learnt what had been going on, the man left the address and the victim told her mother about the earlier rape.

He was spoken to by police a short time later.

The man was remanded in custody to reappear for sentencing in September.