William of the White Hand
Junior News Editor
Pair jailed for teen's rape, abduction
Published: 3:42PM Thursday May 09, 2013 Source: Fairfax
Ashumendra Gounder and Benjamin Prasad during sentencing at the Hamilton District Court
Two men have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms after being found guilty of the rape and abduction of a 15-year-old girl.
Benjamin Nilesh Goundar, 24 and Ashumendra Rohit Prasad, 27, were today sentenced to 16 years and 15 years respectively in the High Court at Hamilton for multiple rapes, sexual violations and abduction, of the teenager and her 17-year-old cousin.
The men targeted the teens as they were walking along Boundary Rd in Hamilton, about 1 am in December 2011.
Justice Ailsa Duffy handed Goundar, the ring leader, a six-and-a-half year non-parole period. Prasad was given a five-and-a-half year non-parole period. He had been found to be a party to five out of six sexual offences.
The court heard Goundar and Prasad drove past the teenagers before turning around and offering them a ride.
The men drove off after the girls said no, but then turned around and asked them again. They eventually persuaded the girls to get in the car after offering food and drink and to take them straight home.
However, the victims started to panic, becoming fearful when Goundar, who was driving, headed towards Waikato University.
They drove out to a rural property and pulled into a driveway.
The girls tried to escape but the younger victim was grabbed and pulled into the car while her cousin was punched in the nose.
After unsuccessful attempts to rescue her cousin, the 17-year-old ran up the driveway to get help and police were called.
Meanwhile, Goundar and Prasad drove off to a secluded layby in Tamahere.
Goundar got in the back seat with the girl and Prasad where they forced the victim to take her clothes off.
She was then raped by the pair of them over several hours, both inside and outside of the car. The pair then forced her into the footwell of the passenger side of the car and drove to a car park on Dey Street.
Goundar then pointed and told her "Fairfield is that way", ordering her to walk home.
Justice Duffy said there were no mitigating features, as neither of the pair were remorseful and lacked insight into their offending.
Goundar was assessed at being a high risk of reoffending, while Prasad was at medium risk.
Published: 3:42PM Thursday May 09, 2013 Source: Fairfax
Ashumendra Gounder and Benjamin Prasad during sentencing at the Hamilton District Court
Two men have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms after being found guilty of the rape and abduction of a 15-year-old girl.
Benjamin Nilesh Goundar, 24 and Ashumendra Rohit Prasad, 27, were today sentenced to 16 years and 15 years respectively in the High Court at Hamilton for multiple rapes, sexual violations and abduction, of the teenager and her 17-year-old cousin.
The men targeted the teens as they were walking along Boundary Rd in Hamilton, about 1 am in December 2011.
Justice Ailsa Duffy handed Goundar, the ring leader, a six-and-a-half year non-parole period. Prasad was given a five-and-a-half year non-parole period. He had been found to be a party to five out of six sexual offences.
The court heard Goundar and Prasad drove past the teenagers before turning around and offering them a ride.
The men drove off after the girls said no, but then turned around and asked them again. They eventually persuaded the girls to get in the car after offering food and drink and to take them straight home.
However, the victims started to panic, becoming fearful when Goundar, who was driving, headed towards Waikato University.
They drove out to a rural property and pulled into a driveway.
The girls tried to escape but the younger victim was grabbed and pulled into the car while her cousin was punched in the nose.
After unsuccessful attempts to rescue her cousin, the 17-year-old ran up the driveway to get help and police were called.
Meanwhile, Goundar and Prasad drove off to a secluded layby in Tamahere.
Goundar got in the back seat with the girl and Prasad where they forced the victim to take her clothes off.
She was then raped by the pair of them over several hours, both inside and outside of the car. The pair then forced her into the footwell of the passenger side of the car and drove to a car park on Dey Street.
Goundar then pointed and told her "Fairfield is that way", ordering her to walk home.
Justice Duffy said there were no mitigating features, as neither of the pair were remorseful and lacked insight into their offending.
Goundar was assessed at being a high risk of reoffending, while Prasad was at medium risk.
