WARNING: This article discusses sexual assault and may be upsetting to some readers.

A man whose five ex-partners testified he raped, beat and sexually assaulted them remained steadfast in his denial despite the judge handing down 31 guilty verdicts.

“But for your information, I didn’t do this,” he said, before being told to sit down in the courtroom dock.

Today, Justice Rebecca Edwards convicted the 43-year-old man on 31 charges, including rape, threats to kill, assault, and sexual violation after hearing testimony from five women in a recent judge-alone trial in the High Court at Whangārei.

The offending spanned a 15-year period during which the victims had been in relationships with the man, which resulted in seven children.

Some of the women described being “love-bombed" and drawn into serious relationships within weeks, only for the man, who cannot be named, to become controlling and abusive soon afterwards.

They said he demanded sex daily and when they did not agree, they would be worn down to the point of sleep deprivation until they gave in.

One woman described juggling childcare, work and study while the man slept through the day, only to then endure his relentless sexual demands throughout the night.

Another testified that he held her underwater in a bath until she lost consciousness, while a third recounted the frequent beatings she suffered, particularly to her head.

The man was also found guilty of raping two of the women just weeks after they had given birth to his children.

In the Crown’s closings, Geraldine Kelly laid out the rules of the law around sexual consent.

Kelly said true consent had to be freely given.

“Reluctant consent is still consent, but not if free will has been removed,” she said.

“It is not reluctant consent if she has been left to feel she has no choice; that is submission.”

Kelly submitted that the defendant overpowered them and, at times, physically restrained some of the women, taking away their will to refuse.

“Each and every one of those women has stood strong and consistent throughout, they are telling the truth,” Kelly closed with.

Justice Rebecca Edwards delivered her verdicts in the High Court at Whangārei. Photo / NZME

Throughout the trial, defence lawyers Martin Hislop and Connor Taylor alleged the women had banded together in the “ex-wives’ club” as they were aggrieved that he moved on in relationships quickly and had no contact with his children.

“It was unhappiness about this man spreading his seed and moving on and not taking responsibility as a father,” Hislop alleged.

Hislop claimed that at no stage did he have sex with any of the women without their consent.

Following the closings, Justice Edwards reserved her decision, to deliver her verdicts today.

After finding the man guilty on 31 of the 33 charges he faced, she said the not-guilty verdicts on the two charges had nothing to do with the victim’s honesty.

Immediately after the verdicts were read out, the man interjected.

“Thank you, your honour, but for your information, I didn’t do this,” he said.

“No, take a seat,” Justice Edwards warned him.

“I didn’t do it,” he responded.

Discussions were held around the interim suppression order in place, with a permanent order to be argued by the man’s counsel at his sentencing in August.

The women have automatic name suppression.

The man was remanded into custody and did not stand for Justice Edwards as she retired from the courtroom.

FAMILY VIOLENCE

How to get help: If you're in danger now: • Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours or friends to ring for you.• Run outside and head for where there are other people. Scream for help so your neighbours can hear you.
• Take the children with you. Don't stop to get anything else.
• If you are being abused, remember it's not your fault. Violence is never okay.
Where to go for help or more information:• Women's Refuge: Crisis line - 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 (available 24/7)
• Shine: Helpline - 0508 744 633 (available 24/7)
• It's Not Ok: Family violence information line - 0800 456 450
• Shakti: Specialist services for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and children.
• Crisis line - 0800 742 584 (available 24/7)
• Ministry of Justice: For information on family violence
• Te Kupenga Whakaoti Mahi Patunga: National Network of Family Violence Services
• White Ribbon: Aiming to eliminate men's violence towards women.
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Shannon Pitman is a Whangārei-based reporter for Open Justice covering courts in the Te Tai Tokerau region. She is of Ngāpuhi/ Ngāti Pūkenga descent and has worked in digital media for the past five years. She joined NZME in 2023