Partner Asks For Rapist To Be Named
November, 10, 2010
A woman attacked and raped by her partner of 12 years has told the court she wants his name published, as he begins a seven-and-a-half year jail sentence.
Fred Falwasser, 56, of West Melton, pleaded guilty to charges of assault and sexual violation by rape in the Christchurch District Court, and a charge of having sex with an underage girl in a separate incident.
At the sentencing today, Judge Philip Moran said he would grant the request and allow Falwasser's name and relationship with the victim to be published, even though it would tend to identify the woman.
The identities of the victims of sex attacks are normally automatically suppressed.
Twenty people from the families of the victim and the offender were in court for the sentencing. He received waves and farewell wishes from his family members as the sentence began.
Both victims' impact statements were read in court by crown prosecutor Tim Mackenzie. He said the younger victim said it was a great relief when Falwasser was held in custody because she had been locking herself in her house and feared seeing him in the street.
Falwasser's partner said she had been injured in the assault and rape, which occurred four days apart. She had moved to a women's refuge and resigned her job and was now on the domestic purposes benefit. She was still in pain.
The couple had planned to get married in 2011, but the woman said her dreams had now been destroyed.
Defence counsel Pip Hall said Falwasser had undertaken counselling since the offending.
Ms Hall said there was a background of substance abuse and her client's guilty pleas had acknowledged his responsibility and remorse.
He was expecting a significant jail term.
Judge Moran said that when the couple had argued in April, Falwasser had held a rifle to the woman's head and told her he was going to blow her head off. She knew the rifle was not loaded and pushed it away.
Falwasser then threw her over a couch, injuring her back.
Four days later, he raped the woman after she refused sex because she had had a medical procedure the previous week and was debilitated and in pain.
The judge said Falwasser had thought he was entitled and had simply helped himself.
He said Falwasser had prior criminal convictions, but none for sex offending. He had held down a responsible job in the construction industry for many years.
``You have come undone by abuse of alcohol - binge drinking - and abuse of cannabis.''
``To your significant credit you had the courage to face your whanau and tell them what you had done. You also stood before 68 of your fellow employees and told them what you did. That is a significant factor that gives some hope for your rehabilitation,'' said Judge Moran.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch/4329589/Partner-asks-for-rapist-to-be-named
