The Blenheim man who broke into an Eltham Rd house and sexually violated a woman in her bedroom worked for a furniture removal company that helped move her into her home months earlier.
Samuel Wiremu John Edmonds, 28, this morning was sentenced to seven years in prison for the crime when he appeared in the Blenheim District Court.
He previously admitted two charges of sexual violation and one of burglary and this morning also received a warning under the three strikes legislation.
The name of the moving company Edmonds was working for when he offended was suppressed.
The woman read her victim impact statement at the sentencing hearing and revealed Edmonds had worked for a day moving furniture into her home on Eltham Rd.
''This has made me fearful of contractors who come to my home,'' she said.
She had since moved out of Blenheim, said she had lost confidence and was undergoing counselling ''in an effort to understand what happened''.
''Not to feel like a victim is a constant battle.''
The attack was ''truly frightening'', but she thanked police for their help and support.
Crown prosecutor Hugh Boyd-Wilson said the attack had a high degree of violence and the home invasion was ''at the most extreme end it can be''.'
''There is no place where you can expect more privacy than in the bedroom of your own home,'' he said.
The attack was premeditated and the motive of breaking in to the woman's home was the sexual attack because Edmonds did not take anything from the house, he said.
Edmonds had written a letter of apology to the woman, but she told Judge John Walker in court she did not want to read it.
Defence counsel Philip Watson said Edmonds had no recollection of helping the woman move into her home.
His lack of memory highlighted his drinking patterns, where he would black out, he said.
''He is extremely remorseful and said there is no explanation for what has happened.
''He feels bad for the person and there is no way he can put it right.''
However, pleading guilty went some way in putting things right, Mr Watson said.
Edmonds had no history of sexual offending and saved the victim from reliving the experience through a trial.
Judge Walker said the impact on the woman was profound and she had showed ''great dignity and courage'' by reading her statement in front of her attacker.
''The place where she should have been safest was invaded by you, a stranger. Her own bedroom became the scene of a serious attack.''
The probation report said Edmonds was extremely drunk when he broke into the house early on November 13, had been smoking cannabis and had a mild concussion from a game of rugby the day before.
Judge Walker said Edmonds may have been drunk, but he was aware of what he was doing.
''You knew the victim's house because you'd been there through your employment; you sought out the house, which was a considerable walk from the centre of town. You did not go there by chance - it was not on your way anywhere.
''You thought about this house and selected the victim. You went straight to the bedroom. It was not a case of being a disturbed burglar.
''Your ability to select the house is inconsistent with being so intoxicated you were unaware of what you were doing. You were very much in control.''
The report also said Edmonds did not qualify for a treatment programme for sex offenders, but Judge Walker hoped the Corrections Department would let him do the programme ''to reduce or eliminate the risk to the community'' when he was released.'
Judge Walker said he believed Edmonds was genuinely sorry and remorseful.
- The Marlborough Express
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