Farmer admits raping woman at gunpoint

File photo / NZ Herald

A woman fought for her life in a struggle where a shot was fired into the wall of her bedroom by a man who has admitted a charge of attempted murder.

A Canterbury farmer has admitted the charge after he biked 7km late at night, armed with a rifle, and broke into a rural house where he raped the woman occupant.

The man was today given a first strike warning under the Government's tougher new sentencing legislation.

His name has been suppressed but the order will be argued in the High Court when he is sentenced on October 28.

The 53-year-old's address was suppressed at an earlier court appearance and the name of the woman cannot be published because she was the victim of a sex attack.

He pleaded guilty to charges of attempted murder, rape, and breaking into a building while armed with a .22 rifle, at an appearance before Christchurch District Court Judge Colin Doherty today.

Sergeant Paul Scott told the court the man set off in the early hours of July 1 to ride to victim's house. He wore gloves and was carrying a rifle.

He entered the house and went to the woman's bedroom where he stood watching her sleep for several minutes while he was holding the rifle.

She woke to see him pointing the rifle towards her and grabbed the muzzle. Her hand was cut as the man pulled it from her grasp. A shot was fired into the wall as this happened.

The woman screamed for help in the long struggle that followed during which she was overpowered on the floor. She was suffocated and the rifle was repeatedly forced against her head. He said he was going to kill her.

She spoke to him and managed to calm him down but the police he said he then had sex with her.

"She did not consent to this activity and feared for her life," said Mr Scott.

The farmer later left on his bicycle and the woman rang the police. When interviewed, he said he had carried the rifle to the house to scare the woman.

- NZPA