A disgraced former Malaysian diplomat staffer has escaped a jail sentence after admitting to indecently assaulting a Wellington woman.
Muhammad Rizalman bin Islmail pleaded guilty after he attacked Tania Billingsley at her flat in May 2014.
The plea came on the day Rizalman was scheduled to stand trial late last year and at the High Court he was today sentenced to nine months home detention.
The 39-year-old says when he went into Ms Billingsley's house in Brooklyn with no pants on there was no sexual motivation behind it.
He says he just needed to clean himself up after an emergency defecation incident, however Justice David Collins disagrees.
Ms Billingsley asked the court to suppress her victim impact statement.
The defence lawyer, Donald Stevens says they accept it was a frightening experience and it would have had an impact on the complainant.
He says the father of three acknowledges the wrong that’s been done and regrets what happened.
Mr Stevens says the event was entirely out of character.
Rizalman has written a letter of apology to Ms Billingsley as well as an offer of amends to compensate her financially for the emotional harm suffered.
But Mr Stevens took the time to remind Justice Collins that there was no sexual assault or no sexual attack or intention to do so.
He outlined the serious convictions would likely mean Rizalman will be dishonourably discharged from the army, which will result in the ending of his 21 year career in disgrace.
Justice Collins told the court, no woman should have to endure the terrifying experience that Ms Billingsley was subject to.
Prominent survivor advocate, Louise Nicholas represented Ms Billingsley. She read a statement outside court on behalf of Ms Billingsley saying she is relieved that proceedings are finally done and that she can move forward from this event that's put her life on hold for nearly two years.
"I hope the defendant will have the opportunity to undertake rehabilitative services. While court has been long and draining, I acknowledge that I'm one of the survivors who even get the chance to go through this process and get legal closure."
The former Malaysian High Commission staffer's case caused controversy after it was revealed Rizalman was allowed to return to Malaysia following a blunder by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
A spokesman for the Minister of Foreign Affairs said the report into MFAT's handling of the Rizalman case will be released in the next 24 hours, once interested parties have been given a copy.
Newshub understands it's likely to be out tomorrow morning.
Newshub.
