Stabbing Brings Jail (Press, 10 June 1989)

On 10 June 1989, Paul Waiohana Ngapuhi, a 22-year-old unemployed man, was sentenced to two years in prison for stabbing another man in a case that raised significant legal and social issues. The events that led to his conviction unfolded on 19 February of the same year when Ngapuhi spent the night at the flat of Neil Archibald. After falling asleep, he awoke to what he believed to be an assault, perceiving hands and a mouth on his private parts. During the trial in the High Court at Wellington, Ngapuhi was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent but was acquitted of a more serious charge of attempted murder. Justice Ongley, overseeing the case, acknowledged that Ngapuhi had indeed been assaulted while he slept. However, he clarified that this did not justify Ngapuhi's subsequent actions. Ngapuhi had intentionally retrieved a knife from the kitchen and returned to the bedroom to stab Archibald. The judge remarked that if a passer-by had not intervened, Archibald could have faced fatal consequences. The case highlights complex issues surrounding consent, personal safety, and the legal ramifications of violent reactions to perceived threats. Ngapuhi's response to what he believed was a sexual assault was deemed excessive and ultimately led to his conviction and imprisonment.

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