Failed asylum seeker sentenced to eight years in prison for rape, US marines to be deployed to LA protests, Auckland Council releases property valuations.
1 Failed asylum seeker sentenced for rape, 26 years after deportation ordered
Amir Mohebbi was found guilty in February of five charges, including rape, unlawful sexual connection and threatening to kill.
Today, he was sentenced in the Auckland District Court to eight years in prison. The woman he assaulted read a victim impact statement about the effect the offences, committed in June 2021, have had on her life.
She spoke exclusively to 1News and decided to share her story because she "doesn’t want people to live in a country where this sort of thing is allowed".
2 Around 700 US marines to be deployed to Los Angeles anti-ICE protests
The Pentagon has planned the deployment of around 700 Marines to help National Guard members as California prepared to sue US President Donald Trump.
The state's attorney general said the president's actions had “trampled” the state’s sovereignty.
"We don’t take lightly to the President abusing his authority and unlawfully mobilising California National Guard troops."
3 $22 million NZ Lotto winner dies after descent into drugs
South Australian Joshua Winslet bought a Lotto ticket in 2017 with his last $19 while living on the South Island, working as a plumber in Alexandra.
However, the Daily Mail reported Winslet started using the money to buy drugs, including MDMA, cocaine, and cannabis, and a pistol with ammunition.
It was reported Winslet died from health complications from excessive drug use while at home.
4 Thunderstorm, heavy rain watch issued for parts of North Island
MetService said an "energetic band of squally thunderstorms" was forecast to move over northern and western parts of the North Island as well as the western Tasman today.
The watch covers Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula and parts of western Waikato and Taranaki and is forecast to last for eight hours from 4pm to midnight.
5 Dunedin venue's licence suspended after Champagne ice sculpture promotion
Vault 21, located on the Octagon, held a Moët et Chandon event at its premises in November that featured a large ice sculpture of a hollow oversized Champagne bottle set up on the footpath outside of the premises.
"Staff of the licensee company allowed alcohol to be poured freely through this ice vessel that was drunk by people crouched before it," Judge Spear said in a ruling by the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority.
Watch: Trump addresses Elon Musk's alleged drug use
US President Donald Trump has faced reporters' questions about Elon Musk, including claims of a physical altercation with the Treasury Secretary.
ONE LOOK AT AUCKLAND PROPERTY VALUES
New rating valuations were released on the Auckland Council website while formal notices will be posted or emailed to ratepayers from Friday.
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