R v Aranui

In the case of R v Abraham Bell Aranui, the appellant was convicted in the District Court of sexual violation by rape and unlawful sexual connection. The appeal against the conviction was dismissed by the Court of Appeal of New Zealand. The appeal raised the issue of whether the evidence was sufficient to exclude the appellant's assertion that he believed on reasonable grounds that the complainant consented to the relevant acts. The court found that the evidence was sufficient for the jury to conclude that the appellant did not have a belief in consent, even if it was mistaken. The court observed that the interpretation of the evidence was for the jury, and there was no basis for the intervention of the Court of Appeal. The appeal was dismissed, and the convictions were upheld. Solicitors for the appellant were WinterWoods Lawyers, Palmerston North, and for the respondent, Crown Law Office, Wellington.