Alleged rape victim wants name known

A Christchurch prostitute who claims a former police recruit raped her has been named at her own request, but her reason remains under wraps.

After an emotional outburst in the Christchurch District Court as she gave evidence – and after the court was adjourned to give her time to compose herself – Jacqueline Howat told Judge Murray Abbott she wanted her name made public.

Complainants in sexual abuse cases have their names automatically suppressed.

However, after Howat's unusual request, the judge made a special order allowing publication.

He suppressed the reasons for making the order.

The former police recruit, 33, whose name is suppressed, denies wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, sexual violation by rape, or in the alternative, assault with intent to commit sexual violation.

He was charged after fingerprints taken routinely during his 2005 police training course matched those taken after the March 2003 incident. His DNA also matched.

Questioned by James Rapley for the defence, Howat acknowledged drug use and that she had taken the drug Ritalin while she worked as a prostitute. She said it had the effect of speed, waking her up.

"I have a drug problem. It does not take away what he done to me," she said, referring to the accused.

She denied telling a detective just after the attack that she had played dead during it, and reiterated that she had been strangled.

She told the court the attack left her paranoid to the extent she nailed doors shut at her house.

"I was scared he was going to come back and finish me off."

When asked by Rapley if she remembered saying she wanted to withdraw the complaint, Howat said that at the time she was four months pregnant and unaware a suspect had been identified.

"I wanted a new life and wanted to put what happened behind me," she said.

Then she had another think about it.

"I did not want him to do it to anyone else, and changed my mind and wanted to go ahead with it."

She repeated her claim that she could identify the accused as the attacker, but agreed she had blocked out a lot of what happened on the night.

Questioned by Phil Shamy for the prosecution, she spoke of feeling sore, dirty and disgusted when taken to a clinic after the attack.

She spoke of having thought of going home before taking on the client who attacked her, and regretted not doing so.

"I could not believe I was even alive," Howat said.

Her partner at the time, whose name is suppressed, told the court he did not like her working as a prostitute, but it was her choice.

He acted as her minder occasionally, keeping a discreet distance when she spoke to potential clients.

On March 15 the witness said he became worried when she did not return as expected from the flat she had taken a client to. He hurried to the flat on foot.

On arrival he could see her through a window lying unconscious on the floor.

She came round and told him she had been raped.

The case is continuing.