20 Aug 2018

Five men charged with abuction and rape

5:02 pm on 20 August 2018

The trial of five men charged with the abduction and rape of a woman in Kāpiti is set to begin tomorrow.

18072016 Photo: Rebekah Parsons-King. Wellington High Court.

Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

The men appeared at the Wellington High Court today, each facing at least a dozen charges, including abduction with intent to have sexual connection, sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection and rape.

The alledged offending took place in October 2016 in Paraparaumu.

Those accused are Teri Thompson, Shay Holland, Jordan Whitinui, Lewis Craig and Jeffrey Troon, who all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

A jury made up of four women and eight men were selected this morning, but the trial has been adjourned until tomorrow morning, before opening statements were given.

The trail is expected to run for 10 days.