New Zealand Parole Board -

William Andrew LAIDLER

Hearing: 15 July 2021

at Otago Corrections Facility

Members of the Board:

Ms K Snook (Panel Convenor)

Dr S Davis

Ms K Coutts

Support Persons: [withheld]

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. William Andrew Laidler, 23, appeared for the first consideration of parole in relation to a sentence of five years, seven months’ imprisonment for rape.  Mr Laidler went to trial and was convicted by a jury.  He raped a woman he had been in a long-term relationship with.  He was aged 19 at the time.  The victim did not go to the police for eight or so months.  Their relationship resumed for a while.  He entered into a new relationship and committed two offences while in that relationship, namely assault and wilful damage. Apart from a driving conviction in relation to an expired licence, these are Mr Laidler’s only convictions.
2. Mr Laidler’s sentence commenced on 21 January 2020, he is eligible for parole from 27  July 2021, and he has a statutory release date of 15 April 2025.  He has a RoC*RoI of 0.3354 and is on a minimum prison security classification.  Mr Laidler spoke well to the Board today.  He is no issue in prison.  He is working well in the kitchen.  There is excellent support available to him.  There were letters from his family and [withheld] as was his [withheld].
3. Mr Laidler has completed one-to-one treatment with the psychologist.  He read a very good statement to the Board about the work he has done with the psychologist and what he has learnt in the treatment.  He says he now has an understanding of what led to the offending.  He identified the problems and stresses and the reasons why he felt as he did at the time that he committed the offence.  He acknowledged today that he did commit the offence.  He deeply regrets taking the matter to trial.
4. Mr Laidler also acknowledged the victim’s submission, which he had been shown prior to our hearing.  He said she has no reason to fear for her safety.  He did say that he would be willing to comply with a broad exclusion zone that would preclude him going to Dunedin except with the prior written approval of his Probation Officer, although he did ask to be able to travel through Dunedin to visit [withheld], who lives on the other side of Dunedin.
5. Mr Laidler has an approved address with [withheld].  She has recently moved to [withheld].  We understand that accommodation has been approved.  [withheld].  GPS is available at that site and that will monitor the whereabouts condition.
6. There is possible work available for Mr Laidler back with his [withheld].  He is a mechanical engineer.  Other work options in the meantime are also available, including with [withheld].
7. There was a reintegration meeting on 10 June 2021.  Mr Laidler said that he was open at that meeting about what his whānau need to provide for him and what signs to look out for in terms of any issues that arise in the future.
8. Although this was serious offending, and there is a reasonably lengthy period of time remaining on Mr Laidler’s sentence, we are satisfied that if released on parole after his parole eligibility date, he will not pose an undue risk to the safety of the community.  He has completed treatment with the psychologist.  He has informed and available support in the community and has an approved address and likely work to go to.  There will also be follow-up work with the psychologist in the community which will reinforce what he has already done with the psychologist in prison.  There will be appropriate special conditions precluding any contact with the victim and a reasonably extensive exclusion zone, which he has said he will abide by and which will be monitored by GPS.
9. Mr Laidler will be released on parole on 9 August 2021 on the standard conditions and on the special conditions set out below.  All conditions will remain in place for two years following Mr Laidler’s release date.  He was advised that given the extensive conditions, including the exclusion zone, it is possible for him to apply for variations to those conditions at an appropriate point once he has spent a period of time on parole.
10. The special conditions are:

(1) To reside at [withheld], Dunedin, and not move from that address unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

(2) 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.

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

(4) To disclose to a Probation Officer, at the earliest opportunity, details of any intimate relationship which commences, resumes, or terminates.

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

(6) Not to enter Dunedin as defined by a Probation Officer by way of an exclusion zone map except with the prior written approval of a Probation Officer, provided that you may travel through Dunedin without stopping.

(7) 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.