A Northlander who got a teenage girl pregnant and claimed someone else did it has been jailed for more than five years after tests showed he was the father.
Raymond Steiner, 45, appeared for sentencing in the Whangarei District Court after earlier pleading guilty to four charges of sexual connection with a young person.
He initially disputed that the baby was his but medical tests confirmed he was the father.
The court heard Steiner repeatedly had sex with the girl over two years.
Judge Duncan Harvey described Steiner's actions as "intolerable behaviour" for which he had to be held accountable.
Crown prosecutor Bernadette O'Connor said the aggravating features of Steiner's offending were the impact on the girl, the fact he had been warned about her age, the age disparity, and that grooming was involved.
Defence lawyer Chris Muston said by pleading guilty, Steiner had spared the girl the ordeal of coming to court and giving evidence.
Judge Harvey sentenced Steiner to five years and seven months in jail on all charges.
The victim's family shouted obscenities as Steiner was led away after the sentencing.