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Offender Databases Simon Melville

Simon Kirk Melville

Alias

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Offences

Attempted rape, sexual violation and assault with a weapon in Kaikoura in February 2007

Victims

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Offender Affiliations

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Gang affiliations

none known

Age

Born 1976

Current Location

Was at large in Kaikoura

Parole/Release Dates

Sentenced to 6 years in April 2007
Released February 2009

Background
From the Marlborough Express 27/04/2007
A man who attacked an English tourist in a toilet cubicle with a knife, then locked her in and sexually assaulted her has been jailed for six years. Simon Kirk Melville, 31, a skipper, of Kaikoura, was sentenced in the Blenheim District Court yesterday on one charge of attempted rape, three charges of sexual violation and one of assault with a weapon after the attack on the 23-year-old. The court heard the attack happened on February 23 in a toilet cubicle at the A1 Kaikoura Motels and Holiday Park on Beach Road at 3am after Melville and his brother came to the camping ground to steal food. Addressing Judge David McKegg, Melville said he was "truly, deeply, solemnly sorry for what I've done". His victim also spoke in court, saying Melville jumped out of a shower unit and threatened to kill her before attacking her.

She said the incident had left deep and lasting emotional scars, causing panic attacks, mood swings and sleep deprivation. She said she was scared of going out alone at night and for some time was also wary of using public toilets. She had limited use of one hand which was injured in the attack and needed ongoing care after surgery. The woman said she felt ashamed of the indecencies which happened during the attack and she wished she had been able to fight back more. "My hand is a constant reminder about how powerless I am." The woman had been travelling in a campervan with her father and said the incident, which happened just two days after they arrived in New Zealand, totally ruined the trip. Crown prosecutor Janine Bonifant said Melville performed four indecent acts in the 10-minute attack, during which he had locked his victim into the cubicle. "She had no opportunity to escape."

Defence lawyer Gary Sawyer said Melville handed himself over to police and had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. He said Melville was remorseful and had been fully co-operative with police. Sawyer said Melville was married and was expecting his first child in August. The judge said Melville had been drinking alcohol and taking drugs on the night of the attack. The judge told Melville he was "entirely responsible" for the woman's suffering and wondered if his remorse was more for the situation he was in now than the attack itself. He sentenced Melville to six years imprisonment for the counts of sexual violation, four years for attempted rape and 2½ years for assault with a weapon. All sentences were concurrent. The judge also ordered Melville to pay $5000 in reparation

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Corrections and Additional Information
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