One Network Wellington Live brings a harrowing account of a Wellington woman’s ordeal after a night out turned into a nightmare of sexual violence. In June 2021, three men—Mohamed Abdnur, Senith Deliwala Gedara, and Tyias Moke—raped a woman as she drifted in and out of consciousness, impaired by alcohol and MDMA. The victim, granted automatic name suppression, fought back with fierce resistance and continues to grapple with profound trauma. This story, both devastating and inspiring, details her bravery, the crime’s lasting impact, and the court’s response, as justice was served.
The woman began her evening drinking with an acquaintance in Wellington’s vibrant nightlife. Later, they encountered three men they didn’t know. The group bonded over alcohol and MDMA, a common party drug. As the night wound down, they retreated to an apartment. Exhausted, the woman sought rest in a bedroom. However, her peace was shattered. Mohamed Abdnur entered and began raping her. Her skirt was pulled up, her bike shorts and underwear yanked down. He slapped her face, demanding, “Wake up.” Then, Tyias Moke entered and raped her too. Senith Deliwala Gedara walked in, briefly turning on the light. Moke snapped, “Turn it off,” as the light exposed his actions. Deliwala Gedara complied and joined the assault, raping her as well.
The woman, slipping in and out of awareness due to the substances, endured unimaginable violation. Yet, she found moments of clarity. She called out for help and pleaded, “Stop.” When she fully woke, rage surged. She “saw red,” punching Abdnur and striking him with a bottle. In a desperate act, she tried to hurl Deliwala Gedara off the apartment’s balcony. Her fight was fierce, but the ordeal continued. Hours later, she faced an intrusive medical exam. Every bruise and mark was meticulously noted, compounding her distress.
The attack reshaped her life. In court, she declared, “I’ve been left serving a lifetime sentence in a prison of my own trauma.” Diagnosed with PTSD and depression, she described her condition as “suffocating.” Nightmares and flashbacks plagued her. “Flashbacks would hijack my mind at random moments, paralysing me,” she said. Daily tasks—dropping her children at school or grocery shopping—became impossible. She became a prisoner in her home. Her mental health spiralled, leading her family to have her sectioned. She lost her job and relied on government aid, which “barely scratched the surface.” Within a year, she and her children moved to emergency housing, unable to afford rent.
Before the attack, life was different. She lived comfortably, never worrying about food or petrol costs. She travelled with her children during school holidays, and birthdays were joyful celebrations. Now, her children face uncertainty and hardship. She described herself as “physically present but emotionally absent,” a shadow of the mother she once was. The trial last year forced her to relive the horror. Cross-examined for days, she felt her friendly nature was weaponised against her. Her clothing was scrutinised, “as if what I wore that night held any relevance to the brutality I suffered,” she said bitterly.
At the sentencing, Judge Nicola Wills praised the victim’s “eloquent and intelligent” statement. She condemned the men’s actions: “Your offending was opportunistic, sexual violation without thought for her feelings at all. It really defies belief.” Crown prosecutor Janielee Avia emphasised the group attack’s severity, rejecting defence claims that Abdnur, the first to rape, was less culpable. “All of the defendants were equally culpable,” she asserted. Moke, who pleaded guilty earlier, received four years and six months in January.
Abdnur’s lawyer, Carrie Parkin, sought leniency. She highlighted his violent childhood in Somalia and lack of support after arriving in New Zealand as a refugee at 17. At 21 during the crime, he deserved credit for youth, she argued. Financial constraints on legal aid prevented a cultural report, which might have contextualised his background. Parkin presented an apology letter to the victim, but Judge Wills was unconvinced. “You were still victim blaming or denying your offending. That sits uncomfortably with a short letter expressing your remorse,” she said. Weighing his background and age against the victim’s vulnerability and harm, she sentenced Abdnur to six years’ imprisonment.
Deliwala Gedara faced additional charges for making 76 intimate recordings of women between 2020 and 2022, filmed in two Wellington hotels and a fast-food restaurant. The recordings captured women showering or using the toilet. He also admitted failing to provide police with his phone’s PIN. His lawyer, David Rohorua, argued for discounts based on youth and personal circumstances. Deliwala Gedara, 25 at the time of the rape, received a starting point of 7.5 years for the rape. An uplift was applied for the recordings, PIN charge, and prior convictions. After a small discount for his background, he was jailed for eight years.
The victim’s courage shone through, both in her resistance and her courtroom testimony. Yet, her story underscores the enduring scars of sexual violence. For those affected, help is available. Safe to Talk offers confidential support 24/7 at 0800 044 334 or safetotalk.nz. In emergencies, call 111. The woman’s fight for justice highlights her resilience amid a long journey to healing.