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Allegations
of Sexual Abuse |
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The four rapists
convicted at the High Court in Wellington today will have to wait another
month to find out their fate. Peter McNamara, Warren
Hales and two other men whose names are still suppressed were found guilty on
11 of the 13 charges they faced, in connection with the rape and abduction of
a woman in Mount Maunganui 16 years ago. None of the men's
defence counsel indicated following the convictions today whether their
clients will appeal. However, it should not
be ruled out given that the men professed their innocence throughout the
two-and-a-half week trial. Before the woman
foreman announced the verdict this lunchtime, Justice Ron Young asked members
of the public gallery to show no reaction. However as soon as she
read "guilty" for the first time, some family members of those
convicted began to sob uncontrollably. The convicted men in
the dock managed to hold their composure, although the 47-year-old was seen
shaking his head. The woman complainant,
who now lives in Australia, is understood to have been present for the
verdicts, but left quickly, flanked by her support people. The men will be back in
court on Friday, August 5 for sentencing. They will be sentenced
according to the laws in 1989 when the rape happened. |
