New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing
Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Roger Anthony MARU

Hearing: 12 April 2017 at [Withheld]  via AVL to NZPB Office, Wellington

Members of the Board:

Hon. J W Gendall QC – Panel Convenor

Ms M More

Mr A Hackney

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Roger Maru who is nearing end of a sentence of five years six months’ imprisonment imposed on 16 August 2012 for unlawful sexual connection on a male over the age of 16, indecent assault of male over the age of 16 (x2) and attempting to pervert the course of justice.  His index offending occurred shortly after he was repatriated from the United Kingdom to New Zealand, after having served a lengthy prison sentence there for sexual offending against three victims. It seems the crimes were in somewhat similar circumstances to his index offending.

2. His parole eligibility date was 15 October 2013 and his sentence end date is approaching, namely, 15 June 2017.  When last considered by the Board in
December 2016 he waived his attendance.  He had completed the AOD Intermediate, and six month Drug Treatment Unit Programme.

3. He has little prosocial support or network in the community, although he refers to one friend in [Withheld].

4. He has had [Withheld] counselling as well as one-to-one psychological counselling in prison to create a safety plan. At the moment this involves only accessing [Withheld]  accommodation [Withheld]  .  He is assessed as medium high risk of sexual offending, and with factors such as isolation and little if no support his risk is likely to be escalated.

5. We do not consider he meets the statutory criteria for release on parole.  Accordingly, he will be released at his sentence end date on 15 June 2017 subject to the standard conditions and the following special conditions.  The proposed length of release conditions is six months past his release date that is on 15 December 2017.

6. Special Conditions:
(1) To attend an assessment for any rehabilitative programme, counselling or treatment.
(2) To attend and complete any programme, counselling or treatment as recommended by the assessment to the satisfaction of your Probation Officer and programme provider. Details of the appropriate programme to be determined by your Probation Officer.
(3) Not to possess or consume alcohol or illicit drugs.
(4) Attend a psychological assessment as determined by your Probation Officer.
(5) Attend and complete any treatment/counselling as recommended by the psychological assessment to the satisfaction of your Probation Officer and treatment provider.
(6) To reside at an address approved by a Probation Officer and not to move from that address without the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.
(7) To notify your Probation Officer prior to starting, terminating or changing your position or place of employment.
(8) You are not to have contact or otherwise associate with any victim of your offending, directly or indirectly, unless you have the prior written consent of your Probation Officer.

Hon. J W Gendall QC
Panel Convenor