NOTE: PUBLICATION OF NAMES, ADDRESSES, OCCUPATIONS OR IDENTIFYING PARTIUCLARS, OF COMPLAINANTS PROHIBITED BY S 203 OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ACT 2011
IN THE HIGH COURT OF NEW ZEALAND

WHANGAREI REGISTRY
CRI 2012-029-696

[2013] NZHC 2075

Hearing: 15 August 2013
Counsel: M B Smith and C A Anderson for Crown

A J H Witten-Hannah for Mr Parker
Judgment: 15 August 2013

SENTENCING NOTES OF HEATH J

Solicitors:

Crown Solicitor, Whangarei

Witten-Hannah Howard, Northcote, Auckland

Introduction

[1] James Robertson Parker, you appear for sentence today having pleaded guilty to 74 charges involving unlawful sexual connection and indecencies, committed against young boys.

[2] The offending includes 25 charges of indecent acts with boys under the age of 12 years, 35 of indecent acts on boys aged between 12 and 16 years, four of sexual connection with a child under the age of 12 years, five of sexual connection with a young person aged between 12 and 16 years and five of sexual violation. Most of the offending occurred in the period between 2006 and 2012, although there are two charges arising out of events in 1999.

[3] On 22 August 2012, you pleaded guilty to 49 of those charges. Following a hearing in the District Court at Kaitaia, you subsequently pleaded guilty to a further 25 offences. Those pleas were entered on 10 April 2013.

[4] Following entry of those pleas, the District Court Judge indicated that it was likely he would decline jurisdiction and transfer sentencing to this Court so that the imposition of the indefinite sentence of preventive detention could be considered. The Judge took that course…

Result

[67] Mr Parker, on each of the 74 charges you are sentenced to preventive detention with a minimum term of imprisonment of seven years. The sentences will run concurrently.

[68] I direct the Registrar to send a copy of these sentencing notes to the Chief Executive of the Department of Corrections. I intend that they be forwarded on to the executive in charge of the prison in which you will be held. I recommend that you be given such treatment as is prescribed to you to assist in your rehabilitation, as soon as possible. I can do no more than that.

[69] Stand down.

ENDS

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