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Offender Databases Mark Hetaraka

Mark Wikiriwhi Hetaraka

Alias

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Offences

Unlawful sexual connection, assault with intent to commit sexual violation and kidnapping of a young Japanese woman in February 2000
Robbery of a French tourist in Christchurch in 2010

Victims

.

Offender Affiliations

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Gang affiliations

none known

Age

Born 1978

Current Location

On remand in Christchurch

Parole/Release Dates

Sentenced to ten years in March 2000
Due for a pre-trial call-over in April 2012
To be updated

Background
Christchurch Court News story here
From a Waikato Times article 4th March 2000
A 22-year-old Turangi man has admitted the brutal and prolonged sexual attack of a Japanese tourist in his town on February 3. Yesterday the Taupo District Court heard how Mark Wikiriwhi Hetaraka, a student, dragged the 25-year-old tourist into the communal television room of a backpackers hostel, then beat and sexually violated her for hours. In the face of forensic evidence, Hetaraka, who originally denied any involvement, pleaded guilty to assault with intent to commit sexual violation, sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection and kidnapping. The court heard that the tourist arrived in Turangi by bus about 2am. A pre-arranged taxi took her to a nearby backpackers hotel, Club Habitat.

A barman was supposed to leave a key in a phonebox at the front of the hostel, but forgot, leaving the tourist stranded. As she walked over to some tents in the hope someone would still be awake she was confronted by Hetaraka. When she refused to go with him into the hostel's communal TV room he grabbed her and dragged her into the room. Hetaraka slammed the door and repeatedly punched the woman in the face before pulling her trousers off and ripping off her underwear. Police prosecutor Sergeant Neil Shaw said the victim was in absolute terror and could not scream or struggle. Hetaraka then performed oral sex on the woman and sexually assaulted her digitally.

This continued on and off for a long time, said Mr Shaw. When Hetaraka had finished sexually assaulting her he began a physical attack. He punched and kicked the her in the head and upper body so hard blood splattered up the walls and door of the room. He then caressed her and apologised for the damage to her face. Hetaraka kept the woman prisoner in the TV room for the next two hours before robbing her of $130 cash and her watch. The woman pleaded he return her watch and he gave it back. As he left he told his naked, battered and bleeding victim not to go to the police. Once Hetaraka had gone the woman got dressed and hid in nearby bushes until daylight. She feared her attacker would return. After going to police she was taken to hospital.

The attack left her with black eyes, a swollen face and lips, cuts and grazes on her face and head, bruised hands and chest, and a sore genital area. When spoken to by police shortly after the attack, Hetaraka denied any involvement. He had been doing a burglary, he said. When told forensic examinations found his fingerprints on the window of the TV room and the victim's blood on his boots Hetaraka admitted the attack. He had shown no remorse for his actions, the court heard. Judge Chris McGuire remanded Hetaraka in custody for sentencing in Rotorua on March 16. He faces up to 14 years' jail for his crimes. Taupo Detective Andy Allan said the Japanese woman was still in New Zealand. She wanted to stay in the country and testify against her attacker if necessary. She is touring the South Island.

From a Waikato Times article 17/03/2000
A Turangi man has been sentenced in Rotorua District Court to 10 years in prison for a violent sex attack on a Japanese tourist last month. Sentencing Mark Wikiriwhi Hetaraka, 22, yesterday, Judge Chris McGuire called Hataraka a time bomb and said the community dictated violent sex crimes be punished severely. Judge McGuire sentenced Hetaraka on charges of sexual violation, assault with intent to commit sexual violation and kidnapping of a Japanese tourist in Turangi at the beginning of February. He said the photographs of the woman's injuries were awful and the attack was predatory and violent. Hetaraka was a time bomb who would almost certainly continue offending if he was not imprisoned.

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Corrections and Additional Information
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