A rape victim who drove her attacker to a police station after he fell asleep is being praised for her bravery by police.
Vipul Romik Sharma, 22, was found guilty in Auckland District Court yesterday of abduction and two counts of sexual violation by rape yesterday.
He was acquitted of one charge of threatening to kill.
Sharma met the woman at a central Auckland bar and, with another man, drove her first to Mission Bay and then to a South Auckland park where he raped her in the back seat of his car.
After the attack he allowed her to drive and fell asleep in the passenger seat - so she drove him to Auckland Central police station where she raised the alarm.
"I almost couldn't believe it when the call first came in. It's a unique case," Detective Simon Welsh, of Auckland City police, told the New Zealand Herald newspaper.
"She showed a lot of bravery and common sense. I have nothing but respect for what she has endured."
Sharma was remanded in custody for sentencing in January.
NZPA