A man has been jailed for raping a mentally impaired woman. Photo / File
A man has been jailed for raping a mentally impaired woman. Photo / File
A Rotorua man has been jailed for raping a mentally impaired woman.
Christopher Bryant, 20, was sentenced in the Rotorua District Court on Friday to five years and three months' prison after he previously pleaded guilty to rape.
Judge Ian Thomas said Bryant, then 17, invited the young woman tohis house for dinner in May 2011, with the intention of having sex with her. She told Bryant "no" and tried to leave, but he wouldn't let her. The victim had the functioning level of a 10 to 12-year-old so was "extremely vulnerable", the judge said. "You were aware of her disability and you exploited it for your own sexual gratification," he told Bryant. Bryant's lawyer, Harry Edward, said his client had serious cognitive and behavioral problems which "probably impacted on why he did what he did".
"It was an unfortunate crossing of paths, if you like," Mr Edward said.
Judge Thomas acknowledged Bryant had issues as the result of a difficult childhood, but said that did not excuse his actions. "I am satisfied you knew what you were doing was wrong."
He said the rape had seriously affected the woman. In setting the end sentence, the judge gave Bryant a discount for his guilty plea, his own disabilities and his young age at the time of the offence.
