Notorious Dunedin rapist denied parole again
A rapist who tried to drag a woman into a van in central Dunedin will remain locked up until at least November next year.
Joseph Warren Lepper, 48, who is serving a term of preventive detention – an indefinite prison sentence - was declined parole at a hearing in June after the board heard he was currently undertaking specialist sex-offender treatment.
The Otago Corrections Facility inmate had previously been barred from the rehabilitation programme because of his behaviour in jail and his high-security status.
Panel convener Kathryn Snook noted Lepper's security classification had been reduced to low in September but was elevated again only two months later after five misconducts and negative behaviour towards staff.
There had been another incident in January, the board heard, over which he faced an internal charge of behaving in an abusive and threatening manner.
In 2014, Lepper, who had a history of violence and sex crimes, was sentenced to preventive detention after an attempted abduction in Vogel St.
He and Zane Alexander McVeigh drove from Christchurch to commit the harrowing crime, the court heard at sentencing.
The woman fought off her assailants until nearby residents rushed in but she was left bruised and missing handfuls of hair.
The incident came only seven months after Lepper had been released from prison, having served a 10-year sentence for rape and unlawful sexual connection.
The prisoner had completed 15 sessions with a psychologist during his stay behind bars but had then disengaged, the Parole Board heard.
It was suggested he "may require a bespoke approach involving cultural and spiritual support and one-to-one treatment with a psychologist".
Despite Lepper shunning the treatment, the clinician had agreed to give him a second chance should he be motivated.
Ms Snook said the sex offender's conduct had improved in recent months but he needed to show a sustained change in his ways.
"Mr Lepper needs to focus on maintaining stable behaviour so that his security classification reduces, which opens up other opportunities for him," she said.
Lepper will see the Parole Board next in November 2026.
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A representative from Age Concern visited Ayr St, but no one came to the door. Police officers visited the McIlraith's home a number of times. Beverley assured them all she was ok. Photo / NZH Nick - described as 'anxious and dishevelled' - let police in to see his mother, though he said their visit was not necessary. 'Police stated that inside the house there were signs of 'obvious hoarding issues' and issues of hygiene and cleanliness, and there was an unpleasant smell,' said Coroner Greig. 'Mrs McIlraith was upstairs in her bed… alert and able to hold a coherent conversation. She did not consider there was any cause for police intervention and said that she was safe and happy with Nick. Police saw no need to take matters further." Nick 'getting tired' - GP flags 'carer strain' In August 2021, Beverley had an appointment booked with her GP, but only Nick attended. He told the doctor he was 'getting tired' and thought his mother's increasing health issues 'needed to be sorted out'. The GP requested a home assessment, feeling Beverley may need to be admitted to hospital for a period due to 'carer strain'. When a social worker contacted Nick, he said Beverley's condition had improved, and he was managing and did not need support. In November 2021, police entered the house for a second time. They were canvassing the area as part of an unrelated investigation and could not raise anyone at Ayr St. Beverley maintained she did not need or want anyone to assist her with her health. Photo / File They initially thought the house was abandoned, noting 'the garden was unkempt, the house in poor repair, the curtains drawn, and the letterbox was overflowing with mail'. Nick then arrived home. With 'some reluctance', he allowed officers in to check on his mother. Beverley convinced officers she was fine and did not need help. 'The attending police officer stated that he formed the opinion that Nick was a recluse and that his mother was also 'somewhat of a recluse',' said Coroner Greig. 'The officer contacted Matthew and advised that his mother was alive and appeared well, however, the circumstances were such 'that some form of family intervention may be required in the near future'.' They gave Matthew information on psychiatric services for the elderly. He reached out to them seeking help. In the months leading up to the murder-suicide, various agencies, support workers and professionals tried to help Beverley and Nick. Calls, texts, messages and door knocks went unanswered. Beverley's GP visited Ayr St and was allowed in. She said 'although it was far from an ideal situation, Mrs McIlraith appeared to be in good spirits and clearly did not want anyone interfering in her life'. 'There is no indication that Mrs McIlraith was not considered competent to make decisions on the level of health care and support she wished to receive,' Coroner Greig said. Calls, messages unanswered for weeks Matthew told the coroner that 'Nick was the gatekeeper' to their mother Beverley, making communication increasingly difficult. He and another brother had been blocked, and Beverley's brother had been removed from her phone list. Louisa spoke with her mother occasionally and had no concerns, while Jason called once a month. When he expressed the family's worries, Beverley reassured him she was okay and would seek help if needed. Jason said she was 'defensive of Nick,' but eventually she stopped answering his calls. The pensioner had dementia and a raft of other health issues that her son was trying to take care of. Photo / File On March 30, 2022, after a month of no contact, Jason alerted Matthew. The following day, Matthew sent flowers for Beverley's 80th birthday, but received no response. Louisa also tried to reach her and failed, as did Beverley's brother. On April 2, concerned for their wellbeing, Matthew went to Beverley and Nick's home. The flowers and a parcel from Louisa were still on the doorstep. With no answer at the door, Matthew called the police. Officers forced entry and discovered Beverley and Nick dead inside. Blood trail leads police through crime scene Once inside the house, officers could see a 'significant' amount of blood. In the ground-floor bathroom, up the staircase, in the kitchen and garage. They found Nick's body first. 'There were a number of handwritten pages on the bed beside his body. A large sword with red stains wrapped in a green long-sleeved top was found in the laundry tub in the garage,' said Coroner Greig. 'The blade was double-edged with a pointed tip and was approximately 460 millimetres from hilt to tip with a handle of approximately 200 millimetres, giving it a total length of 660 millimetres. 'The sword blade and handle were extensively blood-stained. It was established that the top the sword was wrapped in belonged to Nick.' Beverley's body was found in the master bedroom on the third floor. There was blood on the bed, walls and nearby surfaces. 'On the basis of the scene evidence, bloodstain analysis and DNA results… Mrs McIlraith was assaulted on her bed by her son who struck her multiple times with the sword found in the garage,' Coroner Greig said. Police found a grisly scene when they entered the house. Photo / File 'During the course of the attack, Nick sustained cutting injuries to his hands. 'He then moved from the side of the bed to the bedroom door, transferring blood onto multiple surfaces and continued to bleed on all flights of stairs. 'Nick went into the kitchen whilst bleeding and attempted to apply some wound dressings… He went into the ground-floor bathroom whilst still bleeding and made an attempt to wash and clean up the blood. 'Police believe Nick fatally attacked his mother… before (committing suicide). 'They are satisfied that no other person was involved with Mrs McIlraith's death or with Nick's death. On the basis of the evidence, police consider that it is likely that Mrs McIlraith died around 5 -7 March 2022. 'Police could not establish with precision how soon after Mrs McIlraith died, Nick died. However, they formed the opinion that it was likely that Nick (committed suicide) soon after the fatal attack on his mother.' Coroner unable to explain Nick's fatal act Coroner Greig said while the murder-suicide timeline was based on circumstantial evidence, she was satisfied her findings were strong. 'Although there is considerable evidence about the circumstances in which Mrs McIlraith and Nick were living, there is no evidence as to how the events on the day Mrs McIlraith died unfolded and what led Nick to fatally attack his mother. 'Nick was described as loving his mother and being clear that he wished to care for her. No one ever expressed concern that he may harm her – the concerns… related to how well he was doing so and his ability to continue to do so, as she became older and frailer. 'It is apparent that by the time Mrs McIlraith died, her care needs were considerable… Her mobility was poor, and she was essentially housebound and confined to her third-floor bedroom. She had been diagnosed with dementia… cognitive ability was compromised. 'None [of the concerns] were about Nick's willingness to look after his mother… or that he posed a danger to her. No one had been able to reach Beverley for a month before her body was found. Photo / File 'Both… were resistant to the idea of allowing strangers into the house… health professionals who interacted… remarked on him being patient and caring. 'It is quite possible that (Nick) became overwhelmed… It is also possible that his mother's declining health… upset Nick deeply.' An array of handwritten, undated notes was found beside Nick's body. One read: 'I loved my real Mum'. Coroner Greig said it 'perhaps [gave] some context to his actions,' but again, it was speculation. 'In the final analysis, it is not known why Nick attacked his mother,' she ruled. 'On the basis of the evidence… I am satisfied that Nick (committed suicide), having fatally attacked his mother… with the intention of ending his own life.' The coroner said both had been dead for some time when found. She found they died around March 6–7, 2022. She made no recommendations, given significant support had been offered. 'At the time of her death, Mrs McIlraith was potentially vulnerable… however… she was content living at home with Nick caring for her and wanted to remain there. 'She consistently expressed the view that she did not want outsiders in her house… and that her son was providing the care she required.' Despite her dementia, Beverley was 'sufficiently cognitively competent to express her views'. 'No issues were ever raised that Mrs McIlraith was unsafe with him… He was unfailingly observed… to be patient and caring.' Health professionals acted appropriately despite difficulties engaging with them. At her last GP visit in January 2022, Beverley was in 'good spirits' and showed no concerning decline. Are you worried about an older person? If the person is in danger now, call 111. You can also contact your local police - for a list of locations click here. If you are concerned about an older person, Age Concern can offer advice and support. You can contact them at 0800 65 2 105 or click here for more information Age Concern can provide guidance, advocacy, assistance, referral, and support and offers further resources and information on various topics relevant to older adults, including elder abuse, grief and loss, and staying mentally active. Anna Leask is a senior journalist who covers national crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for almost 20 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence, homicides, mental health and youth crime. She writes, hosts and produces the award-winning podcast A Moment In Crime, released monthly on
