A Kirwee farmer was sentenced to eight months home detention and will pay $5000 for indecently assaulting and having sexual connection with a 15-year-old girl.
Defence counsel Jonathon Eaton said Graeme Stuart Redmond had written an apology letter to the girl, and had offered $5000 emotional harm reparation.
He said the incident was an example of a gross act by an intoxicated man with ill judgment. He realised it was wrong and stopped, then apologised to the girl the next morning.
He said Redmond realised the family of the girl were angry and hurt, but he was genuinely remorseful.
Crown prosecutor Sara Jamieson said Redmond could have had no reasonable idea that the act was consensual.
Christchurch District Court Judge David Saunders said the girl was worried about the sexually provocative discussion she had with Redmond.
He said he accepted Redmond's remorse and generous offer of reparation, and it was evident he had support from the people in court.
He said Redmond, who held official positions in the local community, had good references, and this was an isolated incident from a man with good character.
He said while on home detention Redmond had to undertake assessment for alcohol treatment and attend any programme recommended by the probation service.
He was also to have no contact with any under 16-year-old at his house without supervision, and to have no drugs or alcohol.
Earlier in the sentencing Judge Saunders spoke directly to the girl's father and encouraged him and the family to attend a restorative justice meeting.
The judge said the family now proposed leaving the country.
NZPA