A Samoan man jailed after he had a sexual relationship with a Rotorua teenager - who later took her own life - has lost his appeal against deportation.
Pelesasa Tiumalu, 30, was sentenced to four years and three months in prison in 2010 for unlawful sexual connection with a person under 16, after he admitted to having a relationship with Hayley-Ann Fenton, 15.
The teenager died at Rotorua Hospital in July 2009 after she received a series of threatening text messages from Tiumalu's wife, Elina, who had used her husband's cell phone.
Tiumalu remains in prison and was denied parole earlier this month, but is liable for deportation back to Samoa under the Immigration Act.
He appealed against the deportation, saying it would have a negative effect on his wife and two children, Fairfax reports.
However, in its decision released today, the Immigration and Protection Tribunal dismissed this argument and Tiumalu will be deported.
NZN