Peter LAMONT 26/11/2024

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Peter LAMONT

Hearing: 26 November 2024

at Christchurch Men’s Prison

Members of the Board:

Sir Ron Young - Chairperson

Prof P Brinded

Mr A Hackney

Ms W Taumaunu

Counsel:  Mr R Eagles

Media:  

Mr J Wilkinson – NZ Herald

Ms L Mills – Greymouth Evening Star

In Attendance:  

[withheld] - Case Manager

[withheld] – NZPB Communications Manager

Support Persons: [withheld]

DECISION OF THE BOARD

  1. Mr Lamont, who is 62 years of age, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2009 for murder.  He had no other convictions in New Zealand, although we understand he may have had three convictions for assault in Scotland none of which resulted in imprisonment.  We only know about those convictions because Mr Lamont told an interviewing psychologist, but we have not been able to get any formal confirmation.
  2. We last saw him in January 2024.  Mr Lamont murdered his wife.  [withheld].  At both the previous hearings and this hearing, we gave a brief summary of what the victims said to us.  On this occasion, Mr Lamont has also been provided with appropriately redacted victim information responses.  He indicated that he was deeply sad about the effect his offending had on his victims. He recognised and acknowledged the terrible effect that his offending had had [withheld].
  3. Mr Lamont began the STU:VO in 2021.  He did not then graduate.  He tended to revert to avoidance strategies, suppressing his emotion and he had difficulty changing his behaviour.
  4. He then completed the STU:VO in August 2023, graduating.  His approach to that programme and his understanding of his emotions and his behaviour significantly changed.  He now acknowledges that he was an aggressive, difficult father to the [withheld]. On the day of the murder there had been a six-month buildup of anger and aggression. He was feeling belittled, unable to cope and deeply upset [withheld]. He said he failed to deal with those emotions, and they all contributed to the buildup of a strong feeling of anger and frustration.  Those feelings were added to by the fact that the business that he and [withheld] were operating was under significant financial stress.
  5. The current psychological report notes that when he discussed the offending with the psychologist at times, he became visibly tearful recalling aspects of his life in the lead-up to and including the murder.
  6. He was seen in the prison as being stable, polite and respectful, with a high work ethic and a high standard as a painter.  Since completing the STU:VO, he has engaged in reintegration activities, including grocery shopping in the community, participating in the Navigate Group and attending a number of group sessions.  He has been in self-care where he has had to manage with five other prisoners, and as we noted, has been able to go into the community escorted by prison officers, to get a feel for the community again.
  7. So today he sought release.  He will be deported on release to the United Kingdom.  He acknowledges that the family of the victim, as do many of his family, reside in Scotland.  He agrees that he will not go to Scotland.  He says that going to Scotland would be disrespectful to his victim's family and he would not wish to put them through feelings of insecurity and anger at his presence.  He is going to make his life in London.  [withheld].
  8. He is now able to talk about the factors that contributed to the offending and the factors that resulted in him failing to graduate on the first STU:VO.  He has a safety plan that he has prepared.
  9. We have decided that he is no longer an undue risk and can be released.  He will be released on 3 March 2025. The special conditions will be simply those identified in the PAR. That is, he is to be released into the custody of the New Zealand Immigration Authorities or the New Zealand Police and deported from New Zealand.  Secondly, that he is never return to New Zealand.
  10. Finally, the media were present during the course of the hearing.  We made a suppression order relating to [withheld].
  11. The Special Conditions are:

(1) To be released into the custody of the New Zealand Immigration authorities, or to the New Zealand Police, for deportation from New Zealand.

(2) Not to return to New Zealand.

Sir Ron Young

Chairperson