Backpacker, 22, was raped by a colleague after he invited her home for dinner and forced himself on her after ‘asking for a hug’
- New Zealand man found guilty of raping a backpacker he met through their work
- The pair had first met while they were both working at a Wellington cafe
- Siddharth Sharma invited the woman out for drinks and a movie
- He then raped her later that night while she slept at his home
A man has been jailed for raping a young Canadian backpacker in his apartment after he befriended her while the pair worked together.
New Zealand man Siddharth Sharma, 34, was jailed for five years and six months by Wellington District Court on Monday for the rape of the woman.
The court was read an impact statement by the now 22-year-old victim in which she detailed how the two met while working in a cafe together.
While working together Sharma invited her out for dinner and a movie, according to Stuff.
A man has been jailed for five years and six months for raping a young Canadian backpacker in his home after he befriended her while the pair worked together (file photo)
After the film Sharma invited the young woman back to his home where his roommate had told her she could sleep in their other roommate’s bed as he was away.
The victim agreed and as she was lying in bed Sharma started to send her text messages asking to come and hug.
The court heard Sharma told the woman she could trust him.
After being convinced of his trustworthiness the backpacker allowed Sharma into the bed to cuddle but when she tried to leave he grabbed her and forced her back into the bed where he raped her.
The court heard at one point Sharma had his hand around the victim’s throat.
The pair first met while working at a cafe together in Wellington before Sharma invited the woman out for a movie and some drinks on the day of the attack (file photo)
During the investigation Sharma was adamant the pair had consensual sex.
Judge Jan Kelly told Sharma the victim had a right to feel safe when invited to stay in his home and that the level of violence ‘inherent with rape’ would have left the woman terrified.
The 22-year-old backpacker was travelling alone at the time of the incident and suffered extreme anxiety and a fear of walking the street in the wake of the attack.
She is now back home in Toronto and said in her impact statement she just wanted to move on from the entire ordeal.
In the Wellington District Court (pictured) Judge Jan Kelly told Sharma the victim had a right to feel safe when invited to stay in his home and that the level of violence ‘inherent with rape’ would have left the woman terrified