A truck driver who raped a woman he met on a dating app has been sentenced to six years and nine months in prison after a court heard the victim was left traumatised by the attack in the cab of his truck on a remote highway in New Zealand.
Shamsher Singh, a married father of two, appeared in the Nelson District Court where he bowed his head as the sentence was delivered. He had earlier been found guilty by a jury of rape and sexual assault but continued to deny wrongdoing.
According to a report by the New Zealand Herald, the assault took place in January 2024 during a late-night freight trip between Nelson and Blenheim after Singh invited the woman, whom he had met on a dating app, to join him on the journey.
Crown prosecutor Sophie O’Donoghue told the court the victim was especially vulnerable because she was stranded “in the middle of nowhere” during the early hours of the morning, the New Zealand Herald has quoted.
O’Donoghue said Singh had shown “complete indifference” towards the woman, who had displayed no interest in sexual activity apart from a “peck” on the cheek outside the truck.
“Her options for escape were limited,” O’Donoghue said.
“He raped her in the cruddy cab of a truck in the middle of nowhere,” as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
The victim broke down while reading her impact statement in court, describing how the assault destroyed childhood memories of travelling safely with her truck driver father.
“You stole those happy memories from me when you held me down and raped me,” the woman said.
“You left me feeling disgusted and ashamed, and I blamed myself for what happened, and for getting in your truck,” as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
Judge Stephen Harrop said the victim had been asleep in the truck cab when Singh stopped in Rai Valley and attacked her.
When she resisted, Singh allegedly said, “F*** it, I’m horny, let’s do it”, before pinning her down and raping her, the New Zealand Herald has quoted.
A medical examination later found significant bruising, which Judge Harrop said reflected “the level of resistance” by the victim and the force used during the attack.
“She was in a very vulnerable situation, and you raped her,” Judge Harrop said, as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
The judge also noted Singh’s lack of remorse, saying he had offered no apology and refused restorative justice.
Defence lawyer Paul Borich argued the incident was “out-of-character” and highlighted Singh’s good work history, family responsibilities and support from the South Island branch of the NZ Sikh Society, the New Zealand Herald has reported.
Starting from an eight-year prison term, the court granted Singh a 15% reduction for his previous good character and the hardship imprisonment would cause his family.
“They are innocent victims of your offending,” Judge Harrop said, according to the New Zealand Herald.
Singh was ultimately sentenced to six years and nine months in prison for rape, along with a concurrent two-year sentence for sexual assault.
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