Stuff
A storage shed at Barrington Park in Christchurch, where an alleged assault took place.
Warning: This story contains graphic content that some readers may find distressing.
A 17-year-old man has admitted abducting and strangling a young girl in order to sexually assualt her in Barrington Park, Christchurch.
The teen pleaded guilty to charges of abduction of a girl aged 12 to 16, strangulation, sexual violation, doing an indecent act and theft. He also admitted a charge of burglary at a school.
He appeared at the Christchurch District Court in front of Judge Michelle Duggan on Friday and his lawyer Elizabeth Bulger sought his interim name suppression be continued, which was granted.
The sexually-motivated attack happened about 9pm on December 3 – while it was still light – near the alleyway to Sugden St, the summary of facts said.
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As the victim left her home about 8.25pm to meet friends at a school, she noticed the teen was following her. She left the school about 20 minutes later and noticed him following her again.
She continued walking through Barrington Park and as she approached the green gates at Barrington St the attacker grabbed her from behind around the neck and covered her mouth.
Stacy Squires/Stuff
The 17-year-old man pleaded guilty to all the charges he faced at the Christchurch District Court on Friday.
The attacker told her he had a knife in his pocket and if she screamed, he would kill her, the summary said.
He then asked for her name and age, which she told him. He walked her back across the park, dragged her into a toilet block and closed the door. While walking her across the park he told her: “Don’t move or scream or I’ll kill you with my knife.”
He noticed her cell phone and that the emergency services were on the line and trying to speak with her. He took the iPhone (worth $1000) off her.
He assaulted her then left, slamming the door and causing the victim to be trapped inside the toilet block.
The victim received bruising to her neck, grazes and a sore scalp from her hair being pulled, the summary noted.
He was remanded in custody to be sentenced on May 2, which was a nominal date only, meaning it could change.
His lawyer told the court: “this is not a situation where interim suppression should be lifted given how much we don’t know about the defendant”.
The victim was continuing to recover and was being supported by family and friends, police said at the time.
Where to get help for sexual violence
- Rape Crisis 0800 88 33 00, click link for local helplines.
- Safe to talk: a 24/7 confidential helpline 0800 842 846, text 4334, webchat safetotalk.nz or email [email protected].
- The Harbour Online support and information for people affected by sexual abuse.
- Women’s Refuge 0800 733 843 (females only)
- Male Survivors Aotearoa Helplines across NZ, click to find out more (males only)
- If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 111.
Need help? If you or someone you know is in a dangerous situation, click the Shielded icon at the bottom of this website to contact Women’s Refuge in a safe and anonymous way without it being traced in your browser history. If you’re in our app, visit the mobile website here to access Shielded.
