Auckland Sex Worker Receives 10 Months’ Home Detention for Stabbing Client Over Payment Dispute

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A 30-year-old Auckland sex worker, Laken Dane Kingi, has been sentenced to 10 months of home detention following her conviction for stabbing a client who had previously failed to pay for services rendered. The incident, which took place in December 2024 near Auckland Girls’ Grammar School in Freemans Bay, has sparked a broader discussion about the vulnerability of sex workers and the legal consequences of self-defense in such contexts.

According to court documents, Kingi chased the client after he exited her vehicle and attempted to flee toward the school. During the altercation, she stabbed him in the upper shoulder with a hunting knife. A bystander intervened, pushing Kingi away before emergency services arrived. The victim was taken to Auckland Hospital, though the full extent of his injuries remains unclear.

During the trial, Crown prosecutor Sophie-Anne Barry emphasized that the attack occurred in a location frequented by children, which she described as an aggravating factor. She further characterized Kingi’s response as “grossly violent and overly exaggerated.” However, Kingi pleaded guilty to the charge of injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.

In her defense, Kingi’s lawyer highlighted that she had initially faced more severe charges. The reduction in charges, as well as her guilty plea and personal circumstances—including her current pregnancy—were cited as contributing factors to the lenient sentence.

Judge Belinda Sellars acknowledged Kingi’s vulnerable position, noting that her profession and the circumstances surrounding the incident played a significant role in her actions. The judge also remarked that the stabbing was a single strike and that the knife used was kept in Kingi’s car for safety reasons.

Kingi, who is due to give birth in December, was seen wiping away tears as she left the court. The case has raised questions about the legal protections available to sex workers, as well as the societal stigma and risks they face in their line of work.

While the court’s decision to impose a home detention sentence rather than a prison term has been met with mixed reactions, it underscores the complex interplay between personal circumstances, legal accountability, and the broader context of violence in the sex industry. As the debate continues, advocates for sex workers’ rights argue for increased legal safeguards and support systems to prevent such incidents from occurring in the first place.