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Judge slams Rizalman's lack of remorse during sentencing

Author
Newstalk ZB staff,
Publish Date
Thu, 4 Feb 2016, 11:16AM
Muhammed Rizalman (newspix)
Muhammed Rizalman (newspix)

Judge slams Rizalman's lack of remorse during sentencing

Author
Newstalk ZB staff,
Publish Date
Thu, 4 Feb 2016, 11:16AM

UPDATED 3.18pm A judge has slammed Muhammed Rizalman's lack of remorse after his indecent assault of Wellington woman Tania Billingsley.

The former Malaysian defence attache will serve nine months home detention, and pay Ms Billingsley an undisclosed amount of money as reparation for emotional harm.

Rizalman pleaded guilty to the charge last year, admitting going into Tania Billingsley's home without trousers on in 2014.

The High Court in Wellington today heard Rizalman had apologised to the victim in writing, but Justice David Collins said he showed no remorse when giving evidence in November.

"I was struck by your lack of insight into your offending, and your lack of appreciation as to the impact of your conduct," he told the court.

Rizalman admitted he was interested in Ms Billingsley, but insisted he was only trying to calm her down when he grabbed her shoulders.

Victim's advocate Louise Nicholas spoke on behalf of the victim outside court, and wasn't buying the story.

"I struggle at stuff like that. There was intent there I believe, otherwise he wouldn't have gone into her home the way he did."

The Green Party's now calling for the full release of an inquiry into the Muhammad Rizalman scandal. MP Jan Logie says the Whitehead report, that looked into how Rizalman departed from New Zealand under diplomatic immunity, must be made public now court proceedings are over.

"It certainly is time that the public have a chance to scrutinize how well the officials did in ensuring a victim of sexual assault was able to get justice."

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