'Abuses' in rape trial

The Government should step in to ensure a New Zealander convicted of raping teenage girls in Cambodia gets a fair shot at justice, says Wellington lawyer Greg King.

Former Petone man Graham Cleghorn, in his mid 50s, was jailed last year for 20 years after he was found guilty of repeatedly raping five former employees. He was also ordered to pay US$2000 ($2800) to each girl's family.

Cleghorn, who has lived in Cambodia since 1990, has appealed against the conviction.

Mr King, who reviewed the trial documents after being approached by Cleghorn's family, said "a whole raft of outrageous abuses" surrounded the case.

The prosecution witnesses were not cross-examined, Cleghorn had been prevented from calling his own witnesses, and his Cambodian lawyer "didn't open his mouth" throughout the proceedings.

Since being jailed, Cleghorn had been moved from prison to prison so it was difficult for people to help him.