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Offender Databases Arthur Waretene

Arthur Waretene

Alias

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Offences

Rape of a taxi driver near Burnham in November 1987
Raped an elderly Christchurch woman after invading her home in 1998
Also burst into the home of a Raglan woman and indecently assaulted her in 2009
Kidnapped and assaulted a 15 year old girl with a pistol while on bail for assaulting his partner in July 2003

Victims

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Offender Affiliations

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Gang affiliations

none known

Age

Born 1962

Current Location

Prison

Parole/Release Dates

Sentenced to seven years in December 1987
Sentenced to three years three months in May 2004
Sentenced to ten years with a six year non-parole period in July 2010

Background
From Waikato Times story 10th July 2010
Justice crusaders have called for DNA profiling of all suspect offenders after the technology was used to convict a man of a Christchurch sex attack 12 years earlier. Arthur Waretini's extensive sexual offending was revealed yesterday at the High Court in Hamilton as he was sentenced to 10 years' jail.

Waretini, 48, of Mount Maunganui, had earlier pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting a Raglan woman last year, as well as the rape and aggravated burglary of an elderly Christchurch woman in 1998. That rape went unsolved for 11 years until DNA evidence linked Waretini to the attack.

Sensible Sentencing Trust national secretary Wendy Pedler said Waretini's conviction highlighted the growing importance of DNA technology in fighting crime. "I think DNA samples should be taken from anyone arrested and brought before a court," Mrs Pedler said. "If a person has nothing to hide then they should have no issue with giving a DNA sample.

"This case just shows how invaluable DNA profiling is in ensuring victims get justice." Justice Ellis yesterday declined to sentence Waretini to preventive detention, instead imposing a six year minimum non-parole period. Crown prosecutor Sheila Cameron said Waretini's "significant" criminal history showed a propensity for sexual offending and violence.

In 1987 Waretini raped and robbed a female taxi driver in Christchurch after asking her to drive him to an isolated forestry track. Despite treatment in jail, Waretini offended again, raping an elderly Christchurch woman at knifepoint in 1998. The court was told Waretini entered the woman's home through an open back door.

He then wrapped a towel over her head and threatened her with a carving knife when she resisted. Despite DNA evidence being found at the scene the case remained unsolved until Waretini indecently assaulted a woman in her Raglan home last year. Waretini gave a voluntary blood sample which matched DNA from the Christchurch rape.

Ms Cameron said Waretini had shown a propensity to sexually offend against women, of varying ages, over many years. Waretini was assessed at a medium-to-high risk of reoffending, despite receiving treatment for violent and sexual offending. "Nothing has worked," Ms Cameron told the court. "He is an offender who would offend again if released from a finite sentence."

Defence counsel Gavin Boot said Waretini was not completely beyond help and he had expressed a desire to get help in prison. In sentencing, Justice Ellis said Waretini's offending had caused his victims obvious pain and suffering.

He had robbed them of a sense of security in their own homes. The judge said her decision not to impose preventive detention was not an easy one. However, she accepted Waretini wanted to address the causes of his offending and expressed hope for his rehabilitation prospects. "I trust and hope you understand that today truly is your last chance," she told Waretini.

NZ Herald story December 1987 condensed here
A 25-year-old soldier has been sentenced to seven years for raping a taxi driver. Arthur Waretini, who admitted raping the driver, 40, in her cab near Burnham last month, was also sentenced to an additional six months jail for robbing the woman of her wallet, keys and $80, and was ordered to pay $110 restitution to her.

Mr Justice Holland said the rape would warrant nine years imprisonment but, because Waretini had spared the woman a trail by pleading guilty and had no previous convictions for sex offences, he reduced the term by two years

From a Nelson Mail article May 26th 2004
A convicted rapist who pointed an imitation pistol at a girl and threatened to shoot her if she did not get into his car was on bail at the time for other violent offences, the High Court in Nelson has been told. Arthur Waretini, 42, of Richmond, was convicted and jailed for three years and three months when he appeared in court on Wednesday on charges of unlawful detention, assault with a weapon and assaulting a woman. He had admitted the charges at an earlier court appearance.

Justice Ronald Young said at 10.40am on July 27, Waretini drove into a carpark at the intersection of Trafalgar St and Queen Elizabeth II Drive where a 15-year-old girl was waiting for her aunt to pick her up. Justice Young said he greeted the teenager before telling her to "get in the car, it's just you and me''. Waretini then pulled out a silver imitation pistol he had tucked into his pants and pointed it at her.

He grabbed the girl and pulled her in the direction of his car, but she struggled, screamed and held on to a concrete monument she had been sitting on. Justice Young said Waretini then threatened to hit her or shoot her and, as she continued to scream, he hit her on the head with the pistol and his hand. He then grabbed her by her jersey and started dragging her to nearby bushes, but as the jersey ripped she slipped out of it and ran towards the main road.

Justice Young dismissed Waretini's claim his intention was to steal a jacket from the girl. "You were clearly trying to get this young woman into your car initially and then into bushes,'' he said. "It was only through her valiant struggle and determination that she got away.'' A passing motorist saw the girl and helped her while Waretini grabbed the teenager's backpack, got into his car and sped from the scene.

The driver of a vehicle he almost hit when leaving the carpark was able to get his registration number for police. He initially denied any involvement in the assault to officers after his arrest. Waretini addressed the court, saying he was sorry for what had happened and wanted to apologise to the girl and her family. Justice Young said Waretini had a history or violent and dangerous behaviour and had spent time in prison for rape and other violent offences.

He had a history of alcohol and cannabis abuse and at the time of the offence was on bail on charges of assaulting his partner. Justice Young said the girl had been traumatised and her schooling and social life had suffered significantly. She had now shifted out of the district because of the incident.

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Corrections and Additional Information
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