Corrections does U-turn after allowing teenaged rapist to attend university

Corrections allowed a convicted rapist to attend university, despite him serving a sentence of home detention.

But only a week later following calls from a survivor advocate and inquiries from Stuff, Corrections did a U-turn and withdrew permission.

The 19-year-old, who has interim name suppression, admitted charges of rape, unlawful sexual connection with a child, indecent assault and sexual conduct with a child relating to six young women, most of whom he met at his Auckland high school.

He was sentenced at the Auckland District Court to 12-months home detention, to be served at his parents home.

READ MORE:
* Crown Law won’t appeal teen rapist’s sentence of 12 months’ home detention
* Crown considers appealing home detention sentence for teenaged sex offender
* Teen sex offender targeted young women at parties, wants to keep his name secret

But after serving just a quarter of his sentence, Corrections decided to allow him to go to lectures and tutorials at the University of Auckland, four days a week.

He was also allowed to spend hours in the library.

In a written statement, Corrections’ deputy northern manager Ali Rei said Corrections reversed the decision after receiving information from a survivor advocate about where the survivors lived.

One of those survivors is Mia Edmonds. She said Corrections’ decision to allow her attacker to attend university was like letting an alcoholic loose in a bottle shop.

Speaking before Corrections reversed their decision, Edmonds said the department had failed to consider the safety of young women at the university who would be sharing classes and the library with the rapist, without knowing what he had done.

“As one of his victims, I am terrified that this man, who has absolutely derailed the lives of so many innocent young women, is going to once again be allowed to walk unsupervised around unsuspecting women and girls.”

Rei said the teenager had been allowed to attend university while he was on bail. She said permission was granted on the basis that he travel directly to and from university. He would also have been electronically monitored.

Documents seen by Stuff show probation staff sighted psychological reports on file from the teenager’s sentencing that showed his rehabilitation would benefit from structure. A report from a manager said Corrections would also be able to continue to monitor him while he is subject to the sentence.

The teenager is seeing a psychologist and is enrolled in a sex offender’s programme. He is yet to complete either treatment and the documents do not show any evidence of Corrections consulting either on the risk he would pose to other students.

There was also no consultation with survivors. Stuff understands no survivor details were recorded on the Victim Notification Register.

But survivor advocate Ruth Money says that’s not good enough. Money, who has been assisting the young women through the court proceedings says three of the survivors have taken the unusual step and waived their statutory name suppression.

“There’s been no proactive research or due diligence into the survivors’ whereabouts or inquiries of their opinions as to the safety of the decision.”

There is also nothing to suggest the University of Auckland had been alerted or consulted. Stuff asked Corrections if the university had been consulted. Rei did not answer the question.

A spokeswoman for the university was also unable to answer the question. She said the university “is concerned” and investigating the matter.

“The health, safety and welfare of our students and staff is always our absolute priority,” the university spokeswoman said.

A Corrections report seen by Stuff says Corrections would have reviewed the decision had the teenager lost name suppression.

“Should name suppression be lifted … the University and the community may question this decision and we are prepared to withdraw this approval.”

Judge Claire Ryan declined the teenager’s bid for name suppression at his sentencing in April. His appeal at the High Court is due to be heard on Tuesday.

Court documents released to Stuff show the teenager approached girls and young women, often at parties when they had been drinking. He isolated some in a bedroom before abusing them.

He sexually assaulted others in front of friends and only stopped when others intervened.

In sentencing the teenager to home detention, Judge Ryan told him she would be receiving a report on his progress every three months.

“I expect a good report because you have been given a lucky break here. The Crown asked me to imprison you. I have not imprisoned you because I do not want to see you back here as an older offender, much more skilled in the ways of committing sexual violence.”

Speaking to Stuff before Corrections reversed its decision, Money said allowing the teenager to attend university amounted to another “lucky break”.

“He [was] at university four days out of five, so when does he go to the psychologist, when does he actually serve his sentence, when is there any punishment?”

She says Corrections should have waited until the name suppression appeal was heard.

“It’s absolutely nonsensical. You’re putting a convicted rapist into classes, tutorials and a library full of potential victims and no one has got any idea who he is.”

The teenager’s lawyer, Emma Priest, says her client takes “full responsibility” for his offending, to rehabilitate himself and make a positive contribution to society.

“It is important that everyone remembers that the legislated principles and purposes of sentencing are not only punishment, but reintegration and rehabilitation, and to impose the least restrictive sentence that is appropriate.”

She says that is especially important with teenagers and young people who have a better chance at rehabilitation.

Corrections says no further decisions about the teenager’s attendance at university will be made without consultation with the survivors’ advocate.

Where to get help

• Male Survivors Aotearoa Helplines across NZ, click to find out more.

• Rape Crisis 0800 88 33 00, click link for local helplines.

• Victim Support 0800 842 846, text 4334, webchat safetotalk.nz or email [email protected]

• The Harbour Online support and information for people affected by sexual abuse.