OFFENDER WHO ATTEMPTED TO RAPE WOMAN WALKS FREE AFTER COURT HEARS THEY HAD CONSENSUAL SEX
A restaurant worker named Steven Barrett, from Burton Road, Christchurch, who attempted to rape a woman in a pub car-park, has been spared prison and instead placed under a community order.
Barrett admitted to attempted rape at the Ship Inn in Christchurch on August 11 last year.
Prosecutor Stephen Dent explained that Barrett and the woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, had been drinking heavily before Barrett offered her a lift to her boyfriend's workplace.
During the incident, both were partially undressed on the bonnet of Barrett's car when her mobile phone rang, causing her to become distressed and insist she no longer wanted to engage in sex.
Neighbors heard her screams, and her boyfriend alerted the police.
Officers found both Barrett and the woman in a partially undressed state.
The woman initially reported to police that she had been raped, maintaining this claim during her interview.
Barrett claimed the woman consented to sex and only screamed when her phone rang; he admitted he did not stop when she asked.
Defense lawyer Iain Ross highlighted the case's unusual circumstances, noting that alcohol influenced everyone's behavior that night.
Judge John Beashel sentenced Barrett to a three-year community order with a requirement to participate in a sex offenders' program, citing the case's special context as justification for not sending him to prison.
Barrett was also ordered to register as a sex offender for five years.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
ted the case's unusual circumstances, noting that alcohol influenced everyone's behavior that night. Judge John Beashel sentenced Barrett to a three-year community order with a requirement to participate in a sex offenders' program, citi...
Community order
A restaurant worker named Steven Barrett, from Burton Road, Christchurch, who attempted to rape a woman in a pub car-park, has been spared prison and instead placed under a community order
Prison sentence
Judge John Beashel sentenced Barrett to a three-year community order with a requirement to participate in a sex offenders' program, citing the case's special context as justification for not sending him to prison
Community order
Judge John Beashel sentenced Barrett to a three-year community order with a requirement to participate in a sex offenders' program, citing the case's special context as justification for not sending him to prison
Sex Offenders Register
five years
Barrett was also ordered to register as a sex offender for five years
