Luca Fairgray trial and sentencing

The story so far

A man in his early twenties went on trial in the Auckland District Court in January 2025, charged with sexual connection with a girl under 16.^{29, 30 Jan 2025; 3 Feb 2025} He admitted visiting the girl's home and calling her 'darling', but denied sexual contact after learning her true age, saying he believed she was 16.^{29, 30 Jan 2025} In February 2025 he was found guilty of three charges over a sexual relationship with the 13-year-old girl in 2023, and pleaded guilty to supplying her with cannabis.^{3 Feb 2025} In March 2025 the Supreme Court rejected his bid for name suppression, so he can be named. He had earlier received a home detention sentence for sexually assaulting six girls as a teenager.^{3 Mar 2025} He was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for the three sexual connection charges.^{31 Mar 2025}

Latest

The man has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison for sexual connection with a 13-year-old girl.^{31 Mar 2025}

Key moments

1. 29 Jan 2025Trial opens; man says he believed the girl was 16
2. 30 Jan 2025Man admits visiting the home but denies sexual contact
3. 3 Feb 2025Found guilty of three charges; pleads guilty to supplying cannabis
4. 3 Mar 2025Supreme Court rejects name suppression bid; man can be named
5. 31 Mar 2025Sentenced to four and a half years in prison

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.