A sailor has been found guilty of attempting to sexually violate a female colleague at a Navy court martial in Auckland.
Able Chef Penehe Sola, 22, was also accused of unlawful sexual connection, but was acquitted on that charge by a five member military panel.
The incident happened at a hotel in San Diego in July last year after the sailors had been drinking.
As the verdicts were read, the victim and her mother burst into tears and held each other tightly.
The prosecution and defence will shortly make submissions regarding Sola's punishment.
Following that, the judge will join the military panel to vote on his fate.
