Edward ANAND 7/12/2020

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Edward ANAND

Hearing: 7 December 2020

at Tongariro Prison

via AVL to NZPB Offices, Wellington

Members of the Board: Ms T Williams Blyth (Panel Convenor)

Ms M Dodd

Ms W Taumaunu

DECISION OF THE BOARD

  1. Edward Anand (72) appears for consideration of parole on a 13-year sentence for serious sexual offending against eight victims between December 1980 and January 1986.
  2. Mr Anand has a sentence end date of 4 March 2029.  There is approximately eight years two months left on his sentence.
  3. Throughout his trial and today Mr Anand has maintained his innocence.  One appeal has been unsuccessful, and Mr Anand is now taking his case to the criminal cases review commission (CCRC).  They have accepted his case.  His expectation is that it will be referred to the Court of Appeal.  He has no idea how long it will take.
  4. In the meantime, Mr Anand was advised that we had met with one of his victims.  Mr Anand acknowledged reading the written submission of one of the victims.  He did not wish to make any comment.
  5. Mr Anand maintains his innocence and is not interested in rehabilitation.  He has no intention of participating in any courses, although he is happy to complete a safety plan with a psychologist.  He accepts that he needs a safety plan to be safe and he will abide by it fully if he is released.
  6. The Board have explained to Mr Anand that we must take the convictions as rightfully entered and must assess his risk based on the information that we have.  In that regard Mr Anand has been convicted of serious sexual offending over a long period of time, he is untreated and does not have a release proposal.
  7. In those circumstances he remains an undue risk and parole is declined.  Mr Anand will be seen for further consideration of parole in December 2021, and no later than 30 December 2021.
  8. In the meantime, his appeal will be dealt with and Mr Anand will likely have the opportunity to work with the psychologist.  Whether that is to address his offending and/or to develop a strong safety plan is a matter that will be addressed with the psychologist.

Ms T Williams Blyth

Panel Convenor