New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Aaron Paul LAURENCE

Hearing: 18 August 2020

at Rolleston Prison

Members of the Board: Judge Gittos (Panel Convenor), Mr J Thomson, Mr C Roberts

Counsel: Andrew Bailey

In Attendance: Ms K McGilp (Case Manager)

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Aaron Paul Laurence is a 46 year old man serving a sentence of 12 years and nine months’ imprisonment imposed upon him for numerous offences of unlawful sexual connection with a male aged 12 to 16 and with a male under 12, indecent assault of a boy under 12 and of a boy aged 12 to 16, and possession of objectionable publications.
2. The index offending comprises some 65 offences committed between 1999 and 2011 on several boys, some as young as eight years of age.  The sentencing notes indicate that the victims were befriended and lured to the offender’s home for video games, and given rewards by way of food, cigarettes, cannabis and the like.  They were then abused and the results recorded on video and promulgated.  He was found to be in possession of some 31,000 objectionable images.
3. Apart from the index offending, he has only two minor drug offences recorded against him.
4. He has completed the Kia Marama Child Sex Offender Programme with good engagement, this having been completed in June 2019.  However, notwithstanding this intervention, he is still assessed by the psychologist as being at high risk.  For this reason, he was not seeking parole when last before the Board in August of 2019, and carried on with some further work with the graduate group.
5. As he appears before the Board today, he is, through his counsel Mr Bailey, seeking parole.  The risk profile remains on the high side, but he presents with a sound release plan and will be supported by people who have taken the trouble to communicate their support with the Board, and who have known him for a long time.  We feel reasonably confident that this release arrangement will maintain support and surveillance of his progress on release, which justifies parole now being granted.
6. He is to be released accordingly with effect from 1 September, upon the following conditions which, for the present, we will set to remain in force until 28 April 2024, which is his sentence end date.  However, once he has reached the stage of attending the monitoring hearing which we have scheduled, the Board will then be able to consider the length of time for which conditions should prevail and whether the electronic monitoring should continue.
7. The special conditions are:

(1) To reside at (withheld) or any other address approved in writing by a Probation Officer, and not move from that address unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

(2) Upon release from prison, to travel directly to (withheld) and await the arrival of a Probation Officer and a representative from the monitoring company.

(3) To submit to electronic monitoring as directed by a Probation Officer and comply with the requirements of partial residential restrictions. To remain at your approved address between the hours of [10:00pm] and [06:00am] daily, unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer, or as permitted by section 33(4) of the Parole Act 2002.

(4) To submit to electronic monitoring as directed by a Probation Officer in order to monitor your compliance with any conditions relating to your whereabouts.

(5) To comply with the requirements of electronic monitoring and provide unimpeded access to your approved residence by a Probation Officer and/or representatives of the monitoring company for the purpose of maintaining the electronic monitoring equipment as directed by a Probation Officer.

(6) Not to enter or loiter near any place where children under 16 are congregating unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer, or unless an adult who has been approved by a Probation Officer in writing, is present.

(7) Not to enter Taranaki as defined by a Probation Officer in writing unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

(8) Not to enter Nelson as defined by a Probation Officer in writing unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

(9) To attend a psychological assessment and attend, participate in and complete  any recommended treatment as directed by a Probation Officer.

(10) To attend an assessment for a departmental programme/maintenance group, and attend, participate in and adhere to the rules of the programme/maintenance group as directed by a Probation Officer.

(11) To attend an alcohol and drug assessment, and attend, participate in and complete any treatment or counselling directed by a Probation Officer.

(12) Not to possess, use, or consume alcohol, controlled drugs or psychoactive substances except controlled drugs prescribed for you by a health professional.

(13) Upon request, to make available to a Probation Officer, or his or her agent, any electronic device capable of accessing the internet that is used by you, or is in your possession or control, for the purpose of monitoring your use of the device.

(14) Not to possess or use any electronic device capable of accessing internet or capturing, storing, accessing or distributing images (including without limitation any personal computer, notebooks, tablets or cell phones) without prior written approval from a by a Probation Officer.

(15) Not to have contact or otherwise associate, with a person under the age of 16 years, directly or indirectly unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer, or unless you are under the supervision and in the presence of an adult approved in writing by a Probation Officer.

(16) Not to have contact or otherwise associate, with any victim of your offending, [including previous offending] directly or indirectly, unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

(17) To obtain the written approval of a Probation Officer before starting or changing your position and/or place of employment (including voluntary and unpaid work). To notify a Probation Officer if you leave your position of employment.

(18) To attend a reintegration meeting as directed by a Probation Officer.

(19) To comply with any direction made under section 29B(2)(b) of the Parole Act 2002 to attend a hearing in March 2021, at a time and place to be notified to you.

“Please note: you may be required to undergo a drug or alcohol test and or submit to drug or alcohol monitoring.”