A 64-year-old Nelson man has been sentenced to eight years' jail for the historic rape and assault of his step-daughter.
The man, an invalid beneficiary, was sentenced at the High Court in Wellington today on one count of rape, two representative counts of indecent assault on a girl under 12-years-old, two representative counts of assault on a girl 12-16-years-old and two representative counts of common assault.
Justice Jillian Mallon said the man took advantage of the young girl he had promised to love and protect.
"This was a terrible abuse of trust of a vulnerable young girl. You made her afraid of her own home," she said.
The step-father regularly abused the girl between 1971 and 1977 when her mother was at work and her siblings were in bed.
Justice Mallon said the man's offending gradually progressed, culminating in rape when the girl was about 13-years-old.
He also regularly beat the girl's brothers with a belt, leaving their bottoms and legs covered in welts and bruises, she said.
The man denied all charges.
Justice Mallon said his actions and continued denial had "deeply affected" the victim, who tried to commit suicide, as well as her mother, brothers and children.
There were no mitigating factors and his prison term was based on 1970 sentencing levels, she said.
