NZ justice system still soft on paedophiles.
A man who had sex with an 11-year-old girl to make his ex-girlfriend jealous has been jailed for three years.
18-year-old Cameron Anthony Waudby, pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual connection with a child under the age of 12, was sentenced to three years in jail by judge Brian Callaghan.
His lawyer Richard Bodle, doing his best to downplay the gravity of the crime, described Waudby’s actions as “inappropriate” and said Waudby was “very immature” and did not understand how wrong his behaviour was. “He wasn’t thinking at the time that it was that bad.”
Man slept with 11-year-old to make girlfriend jealous.
Cameron Anthony Waudby, who was 18 at the time of the offending last year, earlier admitted in the Greymouth District Court a charge of sexual connection with a child under the age of 12.
Lawyer Richard Bodle told the court that Waudby was “very immature” and did not understand how wrong his behaviour was.
“He grew up in a violent family, which paints a picture of a young man who has come from a difficult background, where he did not learn the best way to behave sexually.”
Mr Bodle said Waudby was remorseful and accepted that what he did was entirely inappropriate. “He wasn’t thinking at the time that it was that bad.”
Mr Bodle also stressed that the court’s role was “rehabilitative rather than punitive”. Judge Brian Callaghan said he had concerns that Waudby had a sexual preference for younger females.
The court was told Waudby had sex with the girl twice in June last year. Judge Callaghan said the victim would probably be haunted by what happened for the rest of her life.
“Because of what has happened she is over-clothing herself, not wearing skirts and over-eating.”
The judge said a worrying factor was that he believed Waudby would offend again: “The worry for me is that I think if you are not treated you will be a clear risk to young female children.”
Judge Callaghan stressed that Waudby would need to have appropriate treatment while in prison, without which “there is a high risk of you reoffending”.
Anthony Lawrence Roma will kill again.
I have no doubt that we will soon be seeing this name in the news again soon, as we read about the violent death of another innocent child.
Anthony Lawrence Roma, 45, who was jailed for life after breaking into a Napier home and murdering 7-year-old Simon Reaney in 1991, was released on parole last December 14th.
‘Kill a Pakeha’ murderer released (Pakeha is a derogatory term used by Maori when referring to white skinned people).
A man who bashed to death a seven-year-old boy, believing he had to “kill a Pakeha” during a drug-induced psychotic episode, has been released on parole. Anthony Lawrence Roma, 45, was jailed for life after breaking into a Napier home and murdering Simon Reaney in 1991.
He bludgeoned Simon to death with a car jack before trying to kill his father and then his 11-year-old brother, who was put on life support for two weeks. Roma was at the time suffering a drug- and alcohol-induced psychotic episode during which he said voices had told him to “kill a Pakeha”.
He told a psychiatrist he believed he was a Maori warrior and had to kill, but an insanity plea was rejected at trial. Roma was released on parole in 2003, but was recalled to prison the following year for breaching his parole conditions by committing an indecent act in a Manukau shopping mall.
The Parole Board last month granted his second release from prison, saying he he had made “huge changes in his life” since he was recalled. While his crime was appalling and the Reaneys remained devastated by their tragic loss, Roma had credibly expressed remorse for what he had done, said the board.
“He has an insight into his own offending and behaviour and an openness about him which was never previously the case,” it said. Roma has recently been housed in a self-care unit, and has been allowed on several home leave stints and escorted shopping trips. He has also been participating in a release-to-work scheme.
Roma was assessed as a medium to high risk of sexual reoffending, and medium risk of other offending, but the board said the risk was offset by an “excellent release proposal” which would see him living at the home of a firm ex-military man he had known since childhood.
The ex-serviceman’s family, however, was less than convinced. In a subsequent decision released this month, the Parole Board noted some family members had expressed concern that Roma would be around for a family wedding.
After finding out details of his offending, the family members were worried Roma would be around children and alcohol at the celebrations. The board revoked its previous decision, which would have seen Roma released on November 23, and set a new release date after the wedding.
Roma was released on December 14, with conditions including he never consume alcohol or illicit drugs for the rest of his life, and that he observe a 10pm to 6am curfew. He must also attend alcohol and drug counselling and psychological assessment and treatment as directed.
Sensible Sentencing NZ/Anthony Lawrence Roma
Another collector of child porn gets permanent name supression.
In what seems to be becoming standard practice in New Zealand, Wellington District Court judge Bruce Davidson has granted permanent name suppression to a man found with thousands of pornographic images of children and animals on his computer. The man claimed he was studying the “economics of pornography”.
Wellington man had images of girls and dogs.
A Wellington man who said he was studying the “economics of pornography” was found with thousands of images of children and animals. The man was granted permanent name suppression by Wellington District Court judge Bruce Davidson this morning on the basis of his on-going risk of suicide and the vulnerability of family members.
The man had been caught in a trans-Tasman investigation of an Australian couple after he had been taking part in a chatroom in 2010. A search of his home computer, DVDs and memory sticks found a large number of images, many of girls with dogs and also girls together.
Judge Davidson said while some were staged, some were real and the victims had been found and some prosecuted overseas. The man had pleaded guilty to 40 charges of possession of objectionable material and was given seven months home detention and 180 hours community work.
The judge said the man had maintained that he had been undertaking a research project about the economies of the pornographic market. “Your reason might explain some initial interest but was devoid of reality to explain your full involvement,” Judge Davidson said.
He said the offending took place during a significant period of depression, for which the man was now receiving treatment and might explain his inability to simply accept the reality of his situation.
His lawyer, Mike Antunovic, said he had gained some insight into his offending and was willing and able to do the Wellstop programme which helps offenders stop sexual behaviour.
Wikipedia: The was sceptre is a symbol that appeared often in relics, art and hieroglyphics associated with the ancient Egyptian religion. →
Violent sex offender to be kept in jail.
Dion Selwyn Tau
Dion Selwyn Tau, who was sentenced last August to preventive detention (an open-ended sentence), has had his appeal dismissed because he remains at a high risk of reoffending. Tau was found guilty on 14 charges, including sexual violation, indecent assault and threatening to kill. At the time, Judge Graham Lang said Tau inflicted horrific abuse on his victims, then aged 13, 15 and 16-years-old.
Sex offender’s appeal rejected.
A violent sex offender who attacked young girls has had his appeal against preventive detention dismissed because he remains at a high risk of reoffending. Dion Selwyn Tau was sentenced to preventive detention in August for three sexual assaults that happened in Auckland between June 2007 and July 2009.
Tau claimed his sentence was excessive and he genuinely wanted psychological treatment. A preventive detention sentence means that even after eight years Tau will not be released from prison unless he demonstrates he has been rehabilitated.
In a decision released today, the Court of Appeal rejected Tau’s appeal. Three separate psychological reports found Tau failed to take responsibility for his crimes and posed a high risk of serious assault unless he received ongoing treatment.
Tau was at a high risk of reoffending and his “sexual deviance, anti-sociality and psychopathic traits” were especially concerning. Justice Lynton Stevens said the combination of these factors would make his treatment difficult.
The judges agreed with the original High Court decision, taking into account the seriousness of the offending and age of the victims. Tau was found guilty on 14 charges, including sexual violation, indecent assault and threatening to kill, last year.
At the time, Judge Graham Lang said Tau inflicted horrific abuse on his victims, then aged 13, 15 and 16-years-old. He said Tau was a predator who had “wrought havoc” on the girls and their families and sent “shockwaves” through the community.
In the first attack Tau talked a 13-year-old girl into getting into his car and showing him the way to a local rugby club. Once in the car, Tau hit the girl around the head and sexually assaulted her – telling her that if she didn’t do as he asked she would end up dead in a bush.
In November 2008 Tau, dressed as a truancy officer and, carrying a clipboard, got out of his car and approached a 15-year-old girl dressed in her school uniform. He asked her why she was not at school and said he needed to take her home to check her story.
Once at her doorstep, Tau became aggressive and violent, and forced his way into her family home. The girl tried to fight back but Tau grabbed her by the hair, punched her several times and threw her down the stairs.
He then forced her into a cupboard before sexually assaulting her. As he left, Tau stole items from the house, including the girl’s school bag. In the 2009 attack, Tau stopped a 16-year-old girl walking home at midday. He forced her into his car before finding a quiet street to stop and sexually assault her.
Judge Lang said the indefinite prison term was the only option for Tau given the aggravating factors which included premeditation, the level of violence involved and the vulnerability of the victims.
Sensible Sentencing NZ/Dion Selwyn Tau
Child murderer/pedophile denied parole.
Luke Frederick Sibley, who in 1997 strangled and suffocated three-year-old Brittany Crothall while she slept to try to cover up the fact that he had been sexually abusing her, has been denied parole until he completes a sex offenders’ programme.
Sex offender programme ‘essential’ for convicted murderer.
A man jailed in the 1990s for the murder of a toddler will not be freed until he takes part in a sex offenders’ programme. The Parole board’s decision, released to APNZ today, found it was “essential” that Luke Frederick Sibley take part in the programme.
He was sentenced in the High Court at Christchurch to life imprisonment with a 13-year non-parole period for the murder, and for attacking the toddler’s mother with a hammer, in 1997. The board, led by Judge David Carruthers, found that although Sibley was not charged with sex offences, it had been “part of his murder.”
Judge Carruthers said a recommendation had been received from a psychologist who suggested that Sibley take part in an intensive child sex offenders’ programme, and he was on a waiting list for next year. The board also met with the murdered toddler’s mother and family.
“The central message from the victims was that he was a violent and deceitful paedophile and murderer who had committed sexual and violent crimes against an innocent three-year-old girl.” The board’s decision also noted that Sibley had confessed to having an interest in young girls.
“There is strong evidence supporting the views of the victim that he is a sexual offender and that it was this that preceded the savage murder of an innocent three-year-old and the attempted murder of her mother.” The board noted that supporters of Sibley expressed “a very great frustration” over nothing being done to help their friend.
It also questioned the quality of support and guidance of one of Sibley’s associates. “She asks in an almost unbelievable way, having regard to the brutal murder of the three-year-old, ‘how else could he have covered up what he did?’ We do not attempt to answer such a question.”
The board also noted that a psychological report assesses Sibley as being of a high-risk of violent re-offending and a moderate to low risk of sexual offending. The board said that Sibley would be re-considered for parole after completing the child sex offenders’ course.
According to a New Zealand Herald report from 1997, Sibley suffocated the three-year-old. He then attacked the girl’s 26-year-old mother with a hammer, causing her serious injuries. A neighbour rushed to her help, and police credited the neighbour at the time with saving the woman’s life.
Sibley, then just 18-years-old, was described as “horrendous, callous and cold-blooded” by the sentencing judge.
Justice for Serenity a little closer.
Serenity Jay Scott-Dinnington
Police have arrested Matthew Ellery and charged him with the murder of 6-month-old Serenity Jay Scott-Dinnington. Ellery was the boyfriend of Serenity’s mother Chelsea Scott at the time of Serenity’s death in April last year. Serenity’s injuries included severe brain injuries, a broken rib cage and genital injuries.
Mum’s boyfriend charged with Serenity’s murder.
The boyfriend of a Waikato mother whose 6-month-old daughter died of non-accidental injuries last April will appear in court today charged with the infant’s murder. Waikato detectives yesterday arrested Matthew Ellery and charged him with murdering Serenity Jay Scott-Dinnington at her Ngaruawahia home.
Chelsea Scott and Matthew Ellery
Last night, Serenity’s mother, Chelsea Scott, responded to news of the arrest by changing her relationship status on Facebook from ‘in a relationship’ to ‘single’.
Good to see she’s got her priorities sorted out. 1. Get myself back on the singles market. 2. Justice for my dead child.
She also posted a message saying her “beautiful baby gurl” could rest in peace now.”Rest in peace my angel. Mummy loves u always!”
Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greene said the accused man would appear in the Hamilton District Court. Inquiries into Serenity’s death took months as detectives pored over evidence and called in overseas forensic pathologists to assist after “areas requiring further investigation” were identified.
“To get to the point where we have sufficient evidence to bring this matter before the courts highlights the hard work and long hours put in by an investigation team who always remained focused on doing what is right for a little girl, whose life ended so tragically,” said Mr Greene.
The arrest was testament to the Ngaruawahia community, who would not tolerate violence to children and had rallied behind police, he said. “It also vindicates the very strong relationship Waikato police have with Child, Youth and Family, whose assistance in this case, from start to finish, has been invaluable.”
Serenity, who had just learned to crawl, was found lying in her room with eyes half-opened at the Havelock Rd home she shared with her mother, uncle Drew Scott and Ellery. She had severe brain injuries, a broken rib cage and genital injuries.
Two days later, on April 28, family members surrounded her at the Starship in Auckland as her life support was switched off. Last night, Ellery’s Whatawhata grandfather – who helped to raise him and told the Herald last year that his grandson was innocent – said he was in shock and could not believe what had happened.
“I probably will go along to court but we don’t know what’s happening ourselves at the moment. We are very shocked,” said Mr Ellery, who has cancer.
Cherie Kurarangi-Sweeney, a former neighbour of Ms Scott, said she was pleased to hear of the arrest. Ms Sweeney, who started Nark (Nation of Advocates for the Rights of Kids) as a result of Serenity’s death, was at her Ngaruawahia home on the day the infant was found injured.
She could hear Ms Scott arguing with her brother Drew, and lots of screaming. “We would like to congratulate Waikato police for securing the evidence to make the arrest. It’s fair to say that we have been waiting for this day for a very long time.”
On January 6, Ms Scott gave birth to a child fathered by Ellery. Child, Youth and Family took the baby less than 48 hours later. Ms Scott’s 6-year-old son, Travis, has been in CYF care since the incident last year.
Hmmm, 21 with three children, oldest being 6! “NO” is obviously not a word she is familiar with.
Ellery appeared with Ms Scott on Campbell Live last year to protest his innocence and to rebut claims that he had anger issues. He said in the interview that he had tried to do CPR on Serenity. “It was too hard and it wasn’t working. Chelsea was a mess and I was shaking.”
Might that have had something to do with you knowing you had just most likely committed murder, or was it the meth?
Ms Scott was asked if she believed that Ellery was not responsible for Serenity’s death. She said: “Yes, I believe him. People haven’t seen the way Matthew is with kids.”
Ms Scott said she knew who the baby’s killer was and pointed the finger elsewhere. On Facebook earlier, she had said the killer was walking around “as if nothing had happened” and she wanted to see justice done. “I know for a fact who killed her.”
Another unsupervised child dies.
David Taliai
Update: The boy’s name is David Taliai.
A three-year-old boy has died after being run over in a shopping centre car park while his mother was inside shopping.
Toddler killed by van at shops.
A mother cradled her dying toddler after he was hit and dragged by a van in Auckland yesterday.
The 3-year-old boy in Manurewa died from serious head and chest injuries as his devastated mother cried, “Please don’t take him” and “Cuddle me, my son”. He had been playing outside shops on Dalgety Drive, while his mother was inside, when the eight-seater van hit him about 1.45pm.
He was dragged under the van for about 5m before the driver stopped, alerted by shouts from workers at the Kev’s Clothing Emporium store. One of them, James Maea, 22, said the accident happened “out of nowhere”.
“I heard a colleague call, ‘Stop’, but the van didn’t stop at all and hit the kid. I think the driver didn’t really know what he had hit. He kept driving until my boss told him to stop.”
His colleague, Charlie Selui, went to the side of the van where the boy was lying, picked him up and put him on a couch that was on the side of the driveway. Mr Maea said by that stage the boy was bleeding badly. “He had been here with his mum. She’s a regular customer and she was inside looking at clothes and her child was running around [outside].”
The driver was distraught. “You could tell by the look on his face that he was sorry.” The boy’s mother knelt in front of her son while another woman performed CPR. The driver wiped blood from the face of the child, telling the mother, “Sorry, sorry”.
Constable Amy Weston, of the Counties- Manukau serious crash unit, said it was too early to say if the driver would be charged but urged witnesses to come forward.
Recent Comments