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Offender Databases Matiu Tahi

Matiu Isaac Tahi

Alias

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Offences

Raped a 13 year old girl in August 1992 then a second time in December 1992

Victims

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Offender Affiliations

.

Gang affiliations

none known

Age

Born 1959

Current Location

unknown

Parole/Release Dates

Sentenced to 8 years 6 months in November 1997
Reduced to just 7 years on appeal in April 1998

Background
The Press, Christchurch, November 8th 1997
A Rotorua school teacher who twice raped one of his pupils, once on Christmas Day, was yesterday jailed for 8 years 6 months. Matiu Isaac Tahi, 38, appeared before Justice Laurenson in the High Court at Auckland for sentencing after a Rotorua jury had earlier found him guilty of two charges of sexual violation by rape. The court was told that Tahi had raped one of his pupils, who was 13, when he was heavily intoxicated and when the victim had been asked back to his home to babysit.

Sentencing Tahi, the judge said he had seriously betrayed a position of trust and it may be that because a second offence happened on Christmas Day in 1992 the victim's appreciation of Christmas in the future may be blighted. The judge told Tahi he had expressed remorse for the crimes only yesterday but that was a significant step and would help the victim. ``The complainant will know that instead of the act being a matter of conjecture within the community where there might be some lingering doubt which would have done nothing at all to help this girl rehabilitate herself, there will now be no doubt at all.''

He said Tahi's change of heart in expressing remorse would be reflected in the sentence. He said both times Tahi had pinned the girl's arms and raped her despite her protests. The first offence was between June and August 1992, and the second offence on Christmas Day 1992. Tahi's lawyer Simon Lance told the court he had contributed a lot to the community and had not offended before 1992. There was no weapon, no additional violence, and no threats after either offence.

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Corrections and Additional Information
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