New Zealand Parole Board -

 

Parole hearing

Under section 21(1) of the Parole Act 2002

 

Kenneth James ANDERSON

Hearing: 11 January 2016 at [withheld]

Members of the Board: 
        Mr J Thomson (Panel Convenor)
        Ms G Hughes
        Ms T Williams-Blyth

Support Persons:        [Withheld]    

 

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Kenneth James Anderson aged 68 makes his second appearance before the Board for the consideration of parole.  He was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment on 25 November 2013.  He became eligible for parole on 26 November 2015 and his sentence ends on 24 November 2019.

2. Mr Anderson has no previous convictions and has a static risk score of 0.023.

3. The sentence was imposed for fraud involving a very significant loss of money and resource to the Westpac Bank said to be in the region of $70 million dollars.

4. Mr Anderson appeared before the Board on 11 November 2015.  The Board received conflicting information about him.

5. As requested by the Board in the last decision Mr Anderson has been interviewed again as have appropriate staff. It would seem that some of information presented in the last parole assessment report came as a result of “miscommunication”.

6. At the age of 68 Mr Anderson has no previous convictions and a very low static risk score.  In considering whether or not to release, the Board must turn its collective mind the provisions of section 7 and section 28 of the Parole Act 2002.  The seriousness of the offending and the length of the term imposed have been determined by the sentencing Court.  The Board must make its decision on the basis of whether or not Mr Anderson if released will pose an undue risk to the safety of the community.

7. The proposal for release is that Mr Anderson would live with [Withheld].  This is seen as a suitable option by the reporting probation officer.  Mr Anderson has indicated that he has no interest in obtaining employment on release.

8. The Board has come to the view that if released under conditions of parole, particularly those preventing his employment in the management of any financial enterprise he would not pose an undue risk to the safety of the community.

9. Accordingly release for Mr Anderson is directed for 25 January 2016.

10. The standard and special conditions of his release will remain in force for two years after the date of his release.

11. The special conditions are:
   (1) To share, discuss and develop your offending relapse prevention safety plan with your Probation Officer on an on-going basis.
   (2) To reside at [Withheld] and not to move from that address without the prior approval of a Probation Officer.
   (3) Not to undertake any paid or unpaid employment or voluntary work without the prior consent of a Probation Officer.

 

Mr J Thomson
Panel Convenor