2 Jun 2011

Lesbian attack conviction overturned

12:12 pm on 2 June 2011

A woman found guilty of being a party to a lesbian sex attack on another woman has had her conviction overturned by the Supreme Court.

In 2005, Lynnette Stewart was convicted in the Wellington District Court of being a party to a sexual violation carried out by another woman, Kristina Oliver, on the complainant.

The Court of Appeal overturned Ms Oliver's conviction, after a medical specialist gave evidence that the complainant's injuries were inconsistent with what she said had occurred.

The charges against Ms Oliver were dismissed when the Crown offered no evidence at her retrial.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled that it would be a substantial miscarriage of justice to allow Ms Stewart's conviction to stand.

Outside the court, Ms Stewart's lawyer said she would be happy the matter had been corrected at last.