You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image. The parents of the 5-year-old victim of a sex attack at a Turangi caravan park have thanked New Zealanders for their support during the ordeal.
The family issued a statement today after the sentencing of the girl's attacker, Raurangi Marino, 16, at Rotorua District Court today. Marino was sent to prison for 10 years after earlier pleading guilty in Rotorua District Court to charges of burglary, sexual violation by rape and causing grievous bodily harm. The family, who watched the sentencing via videolink, said it was pleased the court process was over.
It has been a very emotional evening for us. The attack on the girl, who was holidaying with her family from Europe, took place on December 21 as she was sleeping in a caravan beside her younger brother. They regarded the attack as a "random act of evil" and did not hold Turangi responsible.
Waikato Hospital spokeswoman Mary Anne Gill said the girl's family had been blown away by the generosity of New Zealanders. Her parents had indicated they wanted to use the money for their daughter's future. So many presents were brought into Waikato Hospital while the girl was being looked after there that a request was made that no more be sent.
Some of the hundreds of presents had been given to other children at the hospital at Christmas and some would be distributed to other children in need, Gill said. Most messages of support for the family were saying "please forgive us", Gill said. The victim needed four hours of surgery after receiving injuries to her head, face and body in the December 21 attack.
Taupo District Mayor Rick Cooper said residents were relieved at news an arrest had been made. I'm sure all of Turangi will be as pleased as I am. Marino had gone to two parties during the day, the second party he left after an argument and wandered into the camp ground where he tried to open car doors. He found the caravan where the young victim was sleeping unlocked and went in. The girl screamed and tried to run away but he grabbed her, choking her and hitting her around the head and face.
She was left with four missing teeth and serious internal injuries. He fled when her mother returned. Judge Phillip Cooper said Marino had a dysfunctional family background involving drug taking, gang connections and alcohol abuse, but this did not condone his behaviour. The age and vulnerability of the victim and the high level of violence involved, including the choking of the girl plus the element of home invasion, caused considerable emotional harm to the victim and her family. As tourists the vulnerability was increased and there was an effect on Turangi and New Zealand's tourism reputation.
Judge Cooper gave a starting point of imprisonment of 18 years because of the seriousness of the offending but gave a discount of four and a half years because of Marino's youth, dysfunctional upbringing, remorse and early guilty plea.
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