“I’m afraid that prediction will become a reality today.”
One of the victims – who was abused more than a decade ago – said in a statement partially read to the court by Judge Mathers: “Emotional consequences continue to affect my confidence, relationships and the way I view myself.
“I recognise its impact has followed me well into adulthood.”
The man wrote that he was constantly worried about telling future partners about what had happened to him.
“I was a child … I should never have had to carry this burden alone.”
But speaking up about the abuse had lifted a “huge weight” off his shoulders.
According to the summary of facts, Lealiiee met her first victim at a school more than a decade ago when he was aged 12.
Hanna Lealiiee appeared in the Waitākere District Court accused of sexual offending against four boys at different times over a 12-year period. Photo / Dean Purcell
She hired a hotel room where she sexually abused the child and did not use protection.
The boy ended the relationship with Lealiiee after his brother told him it was not right.
“The defendant continued to pursue the relationship. On one occasion, the defendant approached complainant one while he was walking home with several associates and asked him why he had not been messaging her,” the summary said.
He later learned she had become pregnant and he was the father.
The next victim also met the teacher-aide at school when he was 12 and she was in her early 40s.
She had sexual contact with the boy.
When he tried to distance himself from her, she said: “If you keep being like this, I’m going to send your principal all the fights you had and get you suspended”.
“Complainant two felt scared of the threats as he wanted to stay in school and not get in trouble with his parents,” the summary said.
Lealiiee also met the other two boys she sexually abused at school.
The schools that the ex-teacher aide’s victims attended are permanently suppressed.
When spoken to by police, Lealiiee admitted what she had done and said she liked the attention the complainants had given her.
“She stated that she knew what she was doing was wrong, but in her head they had a friendship so it was okay,” the summary said.
‘Serious grooming’
Aggravating features of the offending included the pregnancy, breach of trust, planning and premeditation.
“I’m not aware of any mitigating factors,” Judge Mathers said, noting the woman had knowledge of the children’s ages and had undertaken “serious grooming”.
The judge granted Lealiiee discounts for her upbringing, psychological factors and guilty plea.
While Lealiiee had no prior convictions and had not previously been before the court, she did not seek a prior good character discount.
Judge Mathers said it would not have been appropriate to grant a discount for this anyway because the offending had occurred over a 12-year period.
After applying a 40% discount, she set the final sentence at six years and 11 months and made an order for Lealiiee to be placed on the sex offenders’ register.
Katie Harris is an Auckland-based journalist who covers issues such as sexual assault, workplace misconduct, media, crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2020.
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