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Paedophile says 'sorry'
14/07/2005 08:13 - (SA)
Wellington - A court sentenced the former head of New Zealand's main Christian political party on Thursday to nine years in prison for raping an eight-year-old girl and sexually abusing two others, as he tearfully apologised for what he called his utter hypocrisy.
Former Christian Heritage Party leader Graham Capill, also an ex-police prosecutor, was sentenced in Christchurch District Court for raping a girl under 12, indecent assaults and unlawful sexual connection.
During the 45-minute sentencing Capill sat with head bowed, using a handkerchief from time to time.
In a statement afterward he said, "I am ashamed and greatly regret my past actions. Most appalling is the fact I've hurt those closest to me," it said.
"I know many people looked to me as a campaigner for moral values. I recognise the utter hypocrisy between what I said in public and did privately. I apologise unreservedly ... for that," Capill added.
Judge Robert Kerr sentenced Capill, a 46-year-old father of nine children, to seven years in prison for rape and three years for unlawful sexual connection, to be served concurrently. Another two years were tacked on for the indecent assaults.
The judge said he had taken into account that the offences spanned a period of 12 years, from 1990 to 2002, and that the victims had been left distressed, suffered anxiety, loneliness, and despair.
Kerr said there was an element of premeditation in offending over such a long period.
One young victim had considered suicide, he said.
As leader of a Christian party Capill had projected himself as the "epitome ... of moral probity," the judge added.
His rape victim was just eight when he began abusing her, according to the prosecution. He raped her twice before her 12th birthday.
For another girl, being sexually abused by Capill formed her earliest childhood memory.
In February this year, when Capill was working as a police prosecutor, a church vicar alerted police to allegations involving one young girl.
Two other young woman later came forward and Capill then pleaded guilty to rape and to further charges of indecent assault and unlawful sexual connection.
- AP
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