Police today acknowledged the bravery of the 10 victims who gave evidence against a 66 year old Blenheim man who sexually offended against them.
A jury in the High Court in Nelson today found the man guilty on a total of 35 charges that relate to numerous incidents of serious sexual offending against young and vulnerable female victims. These included sexual violations by rape, indecent assaults, making objectionable images, supplying Class C drugs and grooming in preparation for his sexual offending.
"These women's bravery in making complaints to police and giving evidence has finally brought decades of offending by this man to an end," said Officer in charge of the case, Detective Paul Soper.
"For those women whose complaints span back between 20 and 30 years the mental fortitude that would have been required to come forward and re-live the offending all over again was huge."
He said the man's actions against these 10 women had left their lives changed forever.
"I would take this opportunity to encourage victims of sexual assault to come forward and report the offending to Police. I want them to be assured that their complaints will be taken seriously as we recognise the personal toll and emotional harm to victims that predatory sexual offending by those entrusted to protect so often cause," he said.
The man has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 20 February 2015.
end