New Zealand man accused of rape marries victim

WELLINGTON, Apr 6 (Reuters) A New Zealand man charged with rape married his alleged victim days before his court appearance and charges against him were dropped when his new wife refused to testify, local newspapers reported today.

The 33-year-old carpenter and his wife arrived in court in the city of Christchurch yesterday, with a baby in a stroller, and announced they were married six days earlier.

Defence lawyer Rupert Glover told the court the couple had ''got their lives together in a meaningful way'' and that they wanted a clean start, said The Dominion Post newspaper.

The man was sentenced to a year's supervision on minor assault charges and told to undergo relationship counselling.

REUTERS SHB RN1044