John Paul Smith of Hāwera was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison after being found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting a young woman during a coercive game of “truth, dare or command” in March 2022.
The woman, vulnerable and with a history of trauma, was taken to isolated locations and told she could not back out of commands, which included sex acts.
Despite her distress and pleas to stop, Smith continued. The judge ruled Smith exploited the woman’s trust and will, finding the sexual activity was not consensual.
