Simranjeet Sahota from Tauranga, has been sentenced to 26 months in prison for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old neurodiverse teen in a predatory attack that a judge described as premeditated and malicious, The New Zealand Herald reported.
“Your crime against my child has had a profound impact on him, and on me, and on our family... you stole his childhood forever," the teen's mother said.
The incident occurred when the victim, who was assigned female at birth but now identifies as male, was walking alone late at night, feeling distressed and unaware of the dangers he might face. Cold and tired, the teen decided to hitch a ride home, leading Sahota, then 29, to pull over and offer him a lift. There was a female passenger in the car with Sahota and the teen got in.
The victim, reluctant to share his home address, asked Sahota to take him to a park instead. Sahota agreed, and during the journey, he dropped off a female passenger before continuing towards a Bay of Plenty suburb. Once they arrived at the park, Sahota followed the teen to a swing set, where the assault took place.
Yesterday, Sahota was sentenced in the Tauranga District Court on a charge of sexual connection with a young person.
In an emotional victim impact statement, the teen’s mother shared the profound and lasting effects the crime has had on their family. She described how her child, once “larger than life” and full of joy, has struggled with self-worth, self-harm, and a deep mistrust of others. She said Sahota’s actions “stole his innocence” and destroyed her child’s spirit.
“You have scarred all of our lives forever,” Herald quoted the mother telling the court, noting that her son still struggles with sleep disturbances, staying awake through much of the night and sleeping during the day.
After the sexual assault, the victim remained in the park until morning, frozen with fear and unable to fully comprehend what had happened. He did not resist Sahota out of fear for his safety.
Sahota was told the victim’s age, but he proceeded with the sexual assault, offering no remorse for his actions. According to the summary of facts, Sahota kissed the victim and indecently touched him under his shirt despite being told the teen would soon turn 15.
Sahota then instructed the victim to move to the rubber mats under the swings, where the assault continued.
The summary of facts said the victim was scared and complied.
Sahota then had sexual intercourse with the victim.
The summary said the victim did not say no as he was fearful of what might happen.
Sahota then attempted to have sex differently but the victim said no and Sahota stopped.
He resumed sexual intercourse before he “forced” the victim to perform a sexual act on him.
Afterwards, Sahota left the victim alone in the park, briefly returning to his car before driving off.
At the sentencing of Simranjeet Sahota, Crown prosecutor Daniel Coulson emphasised the teen’s vulnerability and the lasting harm caused by the offender’s actions. He highlighted Sahota’s lack of remorse, describing the offending as predatory with an element of premeditation.
“The defendant took steps to isolate the victim,” Coulson said. “There was an inherent breach of trust and extensive sexual contact, Herald quoted”
Sahota’s defense lawyer, James Greenland, requested some leniency, pointing to the impact the sentence would have on Sahota’s family. He also sought a discount for Sahota’s previously good character and lack of prior convictions.
Judge Melinda Mason set a starting point of three years’ imprisonment. Acknowledging Sahota’s past involvement in the church and his previous good character, the judge said she agreed with the Crown that there could be no discount for remorse.
“I have actually never seen anyone less remorseful than you,” Judge Mason said. “Your comments in the pre-sentence report, even taking your cultural background into account, show no remorse whatsoever. The Crown referred to victim-blaming, and that’s how I read it as well.”
At sentencing, Judge Melinda Mason remarked that Sahota’s letter of remorse, “if you could call it that,” was solely focused on the impact it had on him, stating it “not any impact of the offending on the victim.”
Sahota was granted a 12% discount for his guilty plea, though Judge Mason pointed out the delay in his plea and his earlier refusal to accept a sentence indication. He also received a 2% discount for time spent on bail, a 3% discount for the impact the sentence would have on his family, and a 10% discount for his previous good character.
After considering all factors, Judge Mason handed down a sentence of 26 months’ imprisonment. In addition, Sahota will automatically be placed on the child sex offender’s register as a result of his custodial sentence.