Barman jailed for raping male customer

A Christchurch barman was today jailed for eight years for anally raping a drunken male customer.

Christchurch District Court was told John Stanley Lawrence, 30, sexually violated the 22-year-old victim after plying him with drinks until he passed out, then putting him to bed at the Chameleon bar in central Christchurch.

Lawrence, who worked part time at the bar, was found guilty last week after a two-day trial in which the victim told of waking to find he was being anally penetrated.

"I saw his reaction when he was giving evidence. His distress and abhorrence was palpable," Judge Colin Doherty told Lawrence.

- NZPA