Man jailed for 1980s sex attacks

A 46-year-old man has been jailed for more than eight years for the rape and indecent assault of two young girls in the early 1980s when he was a teenager.
Atunga Nooana was sentenced in the Rotorua District Court by Judge James Weir on five counts of indecent assault and one each of committing an indecent act and sexual violation by rape. The offences took place in Rotorua between January 1982 and January 1985 when the victims were aged between 10 and 13 and between 6 and 8.
Nooana was found guilty by a jury last month. All five counts were representative charges, encompassing multiple offending. Nooana, who was said to have little insight into his crimes and had previous convictions for attempted rape and indecent assault, was sent to jail for eight-and-a-half years on all charges.
Outside the court after the sentencing, a spokeswoman for the victims said they were satisfied with the sentence.
"It's hard for anyone to go through [the trial], especially for the victims, but at least these girls can now get on with their lives," the spokeswoman said.
"They found their voice and strength to make a stand, which has helped with the healing - we're all there for the girls."
The victims testified during the trial and were in court for the sentencing, prompting Judge Weir to compliment them on their "bravery and tenacity".
"A case such as this is always difficult," he said. "You both gave evidence in a very honest and touching matter and the jury, in my view, got the entirely appropriate verdict."
Reading the summary of facts, Judge Weir said Nooana gave one girl sweets and money before showing her pornographic magazines and getting her to pose for him. The offending had progressed to rape on at least two occasions.
Victim impact statements from the women stated Nooana "stole their childhood and stripped them of their innocence".
"When [the older victim] was telephoned by the detective to follow this case up, the memories came flooding back to her. She felt little again and she felt sick," Judge Weir said. "She had to tell her husband what had happened which was a traumatic incident for her."
The younger victim had said at the time of the offending she felt terrified and defenceless as he pinned her down. "The affect on her was huge. Her teenage years were awful for her as a direct result of your offending," Judge Weir said. "It was difficult for her to trust people, especially men, and she had to fight feelings of unworthiness and on occasions feelings of suicide. The feelings of guilt and shame have haunted her for 27 years."
According to a pre-sentence report, Nooana had little insight or remorse for his actions, the judge said.
"You told the report writer that you were partly annoyed at the victims convincing the court of what you had done ... you got it so hopelessly wrong.
"You are a deeply flawed person. This is confirmed in 2004 when you were sentenced for attempted rape and indecent assault on another woman."
The pre-sentence report for the earlier case had also stated Nooana had little insight into his behaviour and said he would seek therapy only if ordered to.
In sentencing, Judge Weir acknowledged Nooana was aged 17 to 18 at the time of the offending and that he was sexually molested at the age of six himself. However, the judge said he also took into account that Nooana's actions were premeditated with planning involved. The girls had been vulnerable because of their age and a significant breach of trust had been involved.