Former Christian Heritage Party leader the Rev. Graham Capill has been sentenced to nine years in prison for sex offences, including rape, of girls under the age of 12.

Rev. Graham Capill.

Capill was sentenced today in the Christchurch District Court. In April, Capill admitted a charge of indecently assaulting a girl under 12 years-of-age.

Other charges followed after two other girls came forward lodging complaints with the police. In June, Capill admitted to rape, unlawful sexual connection, and three charges of indecent assault.

Email correspondence has since surfaced where Capill emailed supporters claiming the rape offence with one of the girls was consensual sex. The claim has reportedly shocked this victim who is now in her late teens.

Judge Kerr said Capill's email displayed an attitude of an offender who did not appreciate the enormity of his offending nor the impact his crimes had had on his victims. Judge Kerr added that Capill used emotional power over his victims.

At the conclusion of sentencing, Capill had a statement issued to the media. It read:

"I am ashamed and greatly regret my past actions. Most appalling is the fact I've hurt those closest to me," it said.

"I know many people looked to me as a campaigner for moral values. I recognise the utter hypocrisy between what I said in public and did privately. I apologise unreservedly to the people of New Zealand for that.

"What I said publicly is what I believed and still do. I pray God will have mercy on me and forgive me. I also pray for healing and God's help and love to surround my family whom I've hurt and let down so badly."

The Crown sought a sentence of between nine and 12 years.

Judge Kerr said Capill had presented himself as the epitome of virtue and that he had been living a lie. The Judge considered Capill's claim that he too as a youngster was the victim of sexual abused and sentenced him to nine years in prison.