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Allegations
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Waikato Times A deaf Hamilton
woman who falsely claimed she was raped and beaten during a home invasion has
been described as a devout Christian and model citizen. Kohine Dallas
Pania Turanga appeared in the Hamilton District Court for sentencing on
Monday after earlier pleading guilty to a charge of willfully attempting to
pervert the cause of justice. She was sentenced
to four months' community detention and ordered to pay $5120 reparation. Turanga made the
false allegation last November, at a time when Hamilton police were
investigating a series of alleged sex attacks. She claimed a
man forced his way into her Albert St, Hamilton East, home where he began a
prolonged and vicious sexual attack. At the time police reported that she
required medical attention. The
investigation into Turanga's rape complaint cost about $25,000. Hamilton police
yesterday welcomed Turanga's sentencing, saying it would serve as a deterrent
to others. Defence counsel
Gina Jansen had told the court that Turanga suffered from depression and had
sought professional help in an attempt to understand her actions. She said
Turanga deeply regretted wasting police time and described the 41-year-old
cleaner as a model citizen and committed Christian. Judge Lindsay
Moore said Turanga's complaint could have resulted in someone being falsely
charged. She would have faced a jail sentence if it had not been for her
psychiatric and psychological problems. Judge Moore said
Turanga's account to police had been graphic and detailed. "Fortunately
it became apparent that the essential part of your story was untrue and no
one was charged." Judge Moore said
it was unrealistic for Turanga to pay full reparation and warned the true
cost of her offending would be paid by genuine rape victims subjected to
court scrutiny. But Acting
Detective Senior Sergeant Nigel Keall, of Hamilton CIB, commenting later,
said Turanga's prosecution should not deter genuine victims from coming
forward. The sentencing
should be seen as reassurance to the community that such complaints were
taken seriously and subject to robust investigation, Mr Keall said. Last November, a
Japanese woman, aged 21, said she was raped in Hamilton but later admitted
making a false complaint. In March, a 17-year-old admitted falsely claiming
she was raped in Hamilton. Dr Kim McGregor,
director of Auckland-based group Rape Prevention Education, said that about
2-10 per cent of rape claims were false, but an estimated 91 per cent of sex
attacks were not reported. Dr McGregor said false rape allegations were often
triggered by traumatic experiences and questioned the benefit of prosecution
in such cases. |
