Man raped partner after caesarean, and raped another woman when he was a guest in her house
Wednesday, 22 July 2026
High Court sentences Shannan Joseph Taylor to six years' imprisonment, ordered to be served cumulatively on an existing 16-year sentence for child sex offences.
Taylor was convicted of repeatedly raping and assaulting his partner, including an attack shortly after she gave birth via caesarean section that opened her stitches and caused an infection.
In a separate incident while his partner was in hospital, Taylor raped a woman in her own home after carrying her inside when she collapsed outside.
The court declined an indeterminate sentence, ruling a lengthy finite term alongside potential monitoring orders like an Extended Supervision Order upon release would adequately protect the public.
A man who repeatedly sexually violated a mother recovering from a caesarean section and raped a woman while staying as a guest in her home has received a total prison sentence of 22 years.
Shannan Joseph Taylor was sentenced in the High Court at Whanganui after being found guilty at trial of three charges of rape, one charge of attempted sexual violation by unlawful connection, and one charge of assault on a person in a family relationship.
Justice Grice sentenced Taylor to six years' imprisonment, ordered to be served cumulatively on a 16-year sentence he was already serving for sexual offending against children. The combined outcome brings his overall term to 22 years' imprisonment.
The court heard that on March 27, 2022, Taylor attacked his partner in bed shortly after she had fed their newborn baby. Despite her repeatedly telling him 'no' and explaining that she was recovering from a caesarean section, Taylor raped her.
The attack caused heavy bleeding, opened some of her surgical stitches, and led to an infection. When the victim later challenged Taylor about the assault, he laughed it off and claimed she had enjoyed it. The court noted that Taylor had subjected the same victim to repeated sexual violations between December 2020 and March 2022.
Earlier in March 2022, while his partner was in hospital due to give birth, Taylor arranged to stay at the home of an acquaintance, Ms H. After encouraging her to buy wine, he carried her into a bedroom after she collapsed outside, where he raped her while she was intoxicated.
A psychological report noted Taylor appeared to lack remorse and attempted to minimise his offending, claiming the rape of Ms H 'felt consensual'. Justice Grice stated this claim directly contradicted the established facts accepted by the jury.
The judge declined to impose preventive detention, concluding that Taylor was at the start of his rehabilitative process and that the community could be adequately protected through the lengthy finite term alongside potential monitoring orders upon his release.
An interim order suppressing Taylor's name was allowed to lapse at sentencing.