Possible preventive detention decision delayed
Sentencing of an 18-year-old from North Canterbury who has admitted two rapes has been delayed to get a more detailed assessment of the risk he poses.
The youth’s name suppression has been continued but that issue will be argued at his sentencing which has now been set for July 2.
The youth has admitted charges of raping a 17-year-old woman near Christchurch, and charges of threatening to do grievous bodily harm, and abducting, raping, and having unlawful sexual connection with an 11-year-old girl the next day in rural North Canterbury.
He was caught by police after a high speed crash into a power pole. By then, the 11-year-old girl had jumped from the moving car.
The case was to be considered by Christchurch District Court Judge David Saunders today, for a decision on whether a finite prison term would be imposed, or the case would be sent to the High Court for consideration of an open-ended preventive detention sentence.
Judge Saunders allowed media to report that the case was being remanded for completion of a psychologist’s report that would give “further professional guidance as to his risk profile”.
The offences occurred in October.
Category: Focus
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