Fisherman found not guilty of raping woman

A Southland fisherman has been found guilty of unlawful sexual connection but not rape of a young woman in Wellington five years ago.

In the Wellington District Court today Jordon Paul, of Milford Sound, was found guilty of unlawful sexual connection with a 17-year-old woman in Porirua in 2003.

He was acquitted on two charges of rape.

The complainant told the court yesterday how she tried to wake the man sleeping next to her on a single mattress as Paul touched and raped her.

The victim told the court she did not cry out or fight but she did say "no" and discretely nudged the sleeping man to get his attention.

Defence lawyer Tony Rickard-Sims had questioned how Paul was to know the sex was not consensual.

Judge Peter Butler remanded Paul on bail but warned him he would be going to jail.

"It's not as bad as it could have been but it is inevitable that you will go to prison," he said.

Paul will be sentenced on July 30.

- NZPA