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Crown rules out preventive detention for repeat offender
The crown has opted not to seek an open-ended preventive detention sentence for repeat child sex offender Shane Allan Harris.
The 39-year-old?s sentencing at Rangiora last Friday was put off by Christchurch District Court Judge Brian Callaghan for the crown to consider this question.
When the case was called before Judge Michael Crosbie at a session inside the Christchurch Men?s Prison today, prosecutor Kathy Basire today filed a submission with the court detailing the reasons why the crown would not seek preventive detention.
If the crown wants that sentence considered, the court must call for reports from a psychologist and a psychiatrist to assess the offender?s on-going risk.
Harris was serving a prison term and undergoing treatment in the Kia Marama sex offenders? unit when he admitted 16 more offences against eight young girls.
He has a history of offending stretching back 20 years and the latest offences for which he now faces sentencing were committed from the 1990s to 2005 in Timaru.
He is seen as having a deeply entrenched sexual attraction to children, and is assessed as a high risk pornography offender. He is serving a two year four month term imposed in May last year for possession of objectionable material including images of bestiality and child pornography.
After the crown?s decision today, a sentencing date of November 25 has been set at the Rangiora Court House with Harris remaining in custody.
He has confessed to seven charges of indecent assaults on girls aged under 12, two of having unlawful sexual connection with a girl under 12, four of doing an indecent act on girls under 12, and indecent assault, unlawful sexual connection, and rape of girls aged under 16.
He admitted touching or penetrating young girls? genitals with his fingers as he gave them piggyback rides, and touching other girls, performing oral sex, or having sexual intercourse with one of them.
Harris has helped to teach at a Sunday School in Timaru and has been employed as a septic tank cleaner.
