Ahu Stanley TAYLOR 7/12/21

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Ahu Stanley TAYLOR

Hearing: 07 December 2021

at Otago Corrections Facility via video conference

Members of the Board: Ms M More – Panel Convenor

Mr P Elenio

Mr A Spierling

Counsel:                                            D Henderson

In Attendance:                                  [withheld]- Case Manager

[withheld]

DECISION OF THE BOARD

  1. Ahu Stanley Taylor makes his second appearance before the Board on a sentence of 10 years eight months for attempts to murder.  The victim was in a convenience store in Wanaka. Mr Taylor and his associate punched him and then engaged in a prolonged and vicious beating that was captured on CCTV.  When the victim was lying on the floor, there was a further attack that lasted one minute and 39 seconds and included repetitive stomps on his face and head.  As they left, Mr Taylor threatened to shoot the shop assistant if he told the police anything. The judge referred to a frenzied attack.
  2. Mr Taylor has limited offending history in New Zealand, the psychological report tells us he has 18 criminal convictions in Australia.  In New Zealand, he has a conviction of assault with intent to injure and wilful damage.
  3. Mr Taylor has RoC*RoI of .18654, his statutory release date is 7 January 2026, he has five years and one month remaining on his sentence.
  4. Mr Taylor's classification is minimum, he is on the Victim Notification Register, and the file notes about his behaviour are mostly positive.  Mostly he keeps to himself, he is compliant, and he is studying at [withheld] universities.
  5. We last saw Mr Taylor on 10 November 2021, he was declined and rescheduled, as a psychological report was missing around his assessment of risk.  The Board had the assistance of a private psychological assessment, done by a [withheld] who has been treating Mr Taylor for some months.  The Board noted there was a differing opinion of risk between the Departmental psychologist and the private psychologist.
  6. Mr Taylor is represented by counsel Ms Henderson who helpfully filed submissions in advance and spoke to her submissions.  Ms Henderson submitted Mr Taylor is ready for release, and she said if not, what is required for him to move forward.  Mr Taylor correctly noted the disagreement between the psychologists and said that although the Departmental psychologist recommended the Medium Intensity Rehabilitation Programme, [withheld] the private psychologist said it is not appropriate.  [withheld] said Mr Taylor's personality is not suitable for group work and he suffers [withheld].
  7. For the Department, [withheld] recommended the MIRP, and Mr Taylor's Case Manager said that they are relying on that assessment when writing Mr Taylor's treatment plan.
  8. We had a long conversation with Mr Taylor, and to a certain extent, [withheld].  Mr Taylor spoke at length about the anger and resentment he harboured from [withheld].  He does not know why he did it or why he did not stop but he does say that alcohol at the time was an issue.  [withheld] said that it is well documented that when people [withheld] it can be triggered by the disinhibition of alcohol.
  9. Mr Taylor has written a safety plan, however, it is quite complex and, as noted by [withheld], needs refinement.
  10. What the psychologists are agreed on is that Mr Taylor needs further treatment.  [withheld] said that he needs one-on-one psychological work, [withheld] recommends the Medium Intensity Rehabilitation Programme.  The Board considers that without further rehabilitation, Mr Taylor's risk remains undue and parole is declined.
  11. The Board is asking the experts to confer, and identify where they are agreed on what rehabilitation Mr Taylor requires, and whether or not a way forward can be planned for him that will deal with his offending needs, and mitigate the risk of violence that he poses to the community.  As such, we are asking [withheld] to consult with [withheld] and provide an addendum updated assessment to the Board.
  12. In anticipation of that addendum from the Departmental psychologist, the Board will see Mr Taylor again in four months, that is April 2022.  For that hearing we are also asking that the Department obtains his Australian criminal and traffic history, and consults Interpol to see if there is any further offending.  Mr Taylor said he has also lived in the United Kingdom and Germany.

Ms M More

Panel Convenor