Ex-wrestler jailed for rape

A former New Zealand Commonwealth Games athlete was yesterday sentenced to 13 years in prison after being found guilty of rape and other sex offences.

Iranian-born Ricardo Aryan, 36, was told in the High Court at Auckland that he would have to serve a minimum of six years in jail before being eligible for parole.

In April, a jury found Aryan guilty of six charges relating to alleged offences in 2002 and 2007 involving one complainant.

Three of the charges were of rape, two of them dating from the earlier period, when the girl was 11.

Aryan competed at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games as a freestyle wrestler, finishing fourth in the under-66kg division. He also won two Oceania gold medals.

Justice Christopher Allan said it was a matter of profound regret that someone with the ability to offer something to the community could commit the offences.

He noted that Aryan had no previous convictions, was gainfully employed in the food industry and had made a significant contribution to New Zealand wrestling.

He said the offending was serious and had resulted in ongoing emotional harm to the complainant.

Other aggravating features were the girl's age and the length of time of the offending.

The judge said there no mitigating factors, but he gave Aryan a six-month reduction for his previous good record.

- NZPA