Friday, December 5, 2025

Christchurch vet jailed for repeated abuse and rape of partner

Joe Lombardo news
Stock photo.

Christchurch veterinarian Joe Christopher Lombardo has been sentenced to six years and six months in prison for a series of violent and sexual offences against a woman, including raping her while her child slept beside her.

The U.S. national, who moved to New Zealand in 2018, was convicted of rape, assault, strangulation, breaching a protection order, and cultivating cannabis, with the abuse spanning from 2019 to 2021.



Judge Paul Kellar described Lombardo’s behaviour as controlling and degrading, highlighting disturbing evidence such as recordings of arguments and a masked appearance at a child’s sports event in breach of a protection order. The victim said the prolonged abuse left her with lasting trauma, fear, and severe mental distress.

Image credit: Levi Meir Clancy

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