Convicted rapist to be deported

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A Tongan man convicted of raping a Christchurch woman has been sentenced to more than eight years' prison and will be deported when he becomes eligible for parole.

Kapiolani Vehikite, 23, was sentenced last Friday in Christchurch District Court to eight years and three months' jail for the attack on the 48-year-old in Wainoni Park, Aranui, on August 28 last year.

His defence that a woman agreed to have sex with him in a city park was rejected when the jury was told the victim was in a same-sex relationship and had not had sexual intercourse with a man for 10 years, the Star newspaper reported.

Judge Jane Farish told Vehikite the only saving grace for the victim was knowing that he was in custody and that after his parole date he would be deported to Tonga.

Vehikite moved to New Zealand from Tonga in 2007 and has very poor English.

- NZPA