Asia-Pacific News
Men jailed for kidnap and robbery of Dutch honeymoon couple
Jul 12, 2007, 6:23 GMT
Wellington - The two New Zealand men that kidnapped and robbed a Dutch honeymoon couple and raped the woman were sentenced on Thursday to nine and ten year jail terms, according to statements.
Keith Anthony McEwen, 30, and Christopher Mana Manuel, 27, abducted the honeymooners at Haruru Falls, near the North Island Bay of Islands in February.
The High Court sentenced McEwan to a 10-year minimum non-parole period and Manuel was jailed for nine years with a minimum of six years, according to a Crown statement.
The pair pleaded guilty in May to kidnapping and aggravated robbery. McEwen also pleaded guilty to rape and five charges of sexual violation against the woman. Manuel admitted being a party to sexual violation.
Crown prosecutors told the court that McEwen and Manuel posed as police officers when they approached the tourists' campervan.
They put a shotgun underneath the husband's chin and demanded money, and threatened to rape his wife if he didn't hand over the cash.
The tourists were then handcuffed and the woman was force-fed sedatives, gagged and sexually assaulted by McEwen.
The Crown said the pair's money card was stolen and 900 dollars was withdrawn.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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