Abel Wira Sentenced to Additional Six Years for Child Sexual Abuse
Abel Wira, a man already serving time for a fatal dog mauling, has been sentenced to an additional six years in prison for the sexual abuse of a child. The sentencing, delivered in the Whangārei District Court, marks the latest conviction in a long history of violent and predatory offenses committed by the Far North man.
- New Sentence: Abel Wira received six additional years for unlawful sexual connection with a child.
- Prior Manslaughter: Wira is currently serving a sentence for the 2022 death of Neville Thomson.
- History of Violence: Wira has a prior conviction for the 2003 rape of a teenage hitchhiker.
- Court Ruling: The conviction follows a trial in the Kaikohe District Court where a jury found him guilty of one count of unlawful sexual connection.
Child Sexual Abuse Conviction
The latest charges against Wira centered on historical sexual abuse. During a trial in the Kaikohe District Court, the prosecution presented evidence of multiple sexual offenses. While the jury acquitted Wira on several charges, including multiple counts of rape of a female under 12, they convicted him of one count of unlawful sexual connection.
The court heard that Wira forced a child to perform a sexual act on him, an offense the victim alleged occurred on multiple occasions. This conviction adds six years to his current incarceration, reflecting the severity of the abuse.
The Neville Thomson Manslaughter Case
Wira’s current imprisonment began following a landmark manslaughter case in New Zealand. In August 2022, Wira was house-sitting a home in Panguru. During this time, he brought 23 dogs—six adults and 17 puppies—and kept them confined in a caravan.
The conditions for the animals were dire; the dogs were frequently left unfed for days. On August 4, 2022, while Wira was running errands, the dogs—who had not been fed in two days—escaped their confinement and mauled Neville Thomson to death.
This case was historic, as it marked the first time in New Zealand history that a dog owner was charged with and convicted of manslaughter. In October, Wira received a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence for the death of Thomson.
A Pattern of Predatory Behavior
The court’s findings highlight a lifelong pattern of offending. This is the second time Wira has been imprisoned for sexual violence. In 2003, he was convicted of raping a teenage hitchhiker. The attack occurred after the victim accepted a ride from Wira near Springs Flat, north of Kamo, while traveling toward Kerikeri.
Summary of Legal Standing
With the addition of the six-year sentence for child sexual abuse, Wira remains behind bars for a combination of manslaughter and multiple sexual offenses. The judicial process has sought to address a history of negligence and predation that spans over two decades, from the 2003 rape conviction to the 2022 manslaughter charge and the recent child abuse sentencing.