32-Year-Old Man Jailed for Having Sexual Contact with 12-Year-Old Girl He Impregnated

On Thursday, a 32-year-old man from Taranaki was sentenced to three years in prison for having a sexual connection with a 12-year-old girl, resulting in her becoming pregnant. The incident, which took place in Stratford, Taranaki, has left the young mother-to-be grappling with the long-term consequences of the crime.

The victim, now 13 years old, appeared in court visibly pregnant, having been assigned a social worker to support her and her unborn child. The girl told the court that she had wanted to stay with her baby and had made efforts to continue her education, though she had to change schools and move in with extended family due to the impact of her pregnancy.

During the trial, Judge Tony Greig outlined the events that led to the incident. According to the summary of facts, the man approached the girl in the street on January 11 of this year and invited her to his house later that day. She agreed, and later that night, she snuck out of her home to meet him. Inside his bedroom, the girl told him she was 12, and he admitted he was 32. When she asked if he had any birth control, he said no. They then had unprotected sex.

The girl recounted in court that she had felt scared but wanted the man to like her and to understand what it was like to have sex. After the encounter, she said he had asked if she was okay, and she had responded affirmatively before they talked more and he said, “thank you” and took her home.

According to the social worker’s report, the girl was particularly vulnerable due to her upbringing and the trauma she had faced. It was noted that some family members were determined to support her and her child, but the girl had been removed from her parents’ care earlier in her life due to a dysfunctional upbringing.

Judge Greig emphasized the profound impact of the crime, not just on the girl but potentially on future generations. “This young woman, whom you impregnated, had been removed from her parents because of the dysfunctional childhood that they caused her to have; now she is going to try and parent another child,” the judge said.

Busby, who has a history of other convictions related to driving, violence, and dishonesty, was described by the judge as a “wild boy” and “a tearaway.” He had previously been dealt with on multiple occasions but had not faced anything as serious as this case before.

In his pre-sentence report, Busby claimed that he was unaware of the girl’s age until after they had sex and that he had consumed a significant amount of alcohol that night. He also stated that he had believed the girl was around 16 and that he had no intention of having sex with her until she “ground on him.” He expressed remorse and said he felt “devastated” upon learning of her age and the pregnancy.

However, the judge pointed out that Busby’s comments were indicative of victim-blaming and did not align with the facts he had pleaded guilty to. The judge set a starting point of four years’ imprisonment based on case law but felt it was not enough, stating that the harm caused by Busby would have long-term effects on the girl and her child.

Busby received a 25% credit for his guilty plea but was not granted any further discounts, including for his claimed remorse. He was automatically placed on the Sex Offender Register.

The case has sparked a broader conversation about the vulnerability of young people and the long-term consequences of such crimes. It also highlights the challenges faced by young mothers and the societal stigma they often encounter.