Latest news with #AlWilliams
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Christchurch man jailed for years of sexual abuse, exploitation
By Al Williams, Open Justice reporter Warning: This story contains details of sexual offending against a child and may be upsetting A teenager with a head injury who suffered years of sexual abuse says he is angry and hoped the man responsible will be jailed for 'a long time'. This month, the teen and his father confronted Shane Bell in court, telling him that other young people should not have to go through what the teen had. 'I find it hard at times to express myself,' the teen told the court. 'I am angry with him, with what he did to me.' He said Bell's actions had made him feel insecure. 'I could not trust other men, I thought they would do the same. I think he should go to jail for a long time - other teenagers should not have to go through this.' Bell, 49, sat expressionless in the Christchurch District Court as the teen and his father, flanked by supporters, struggled to contain their emotions at times during the sentencing hearing. The boy's father said he had a lot of trust in Bell being around his son. 'I don't have any trust in him now after what he has done to my son. I don't even like talking about him, as it makes me angry, what [he did] to my son. 'It has made me mindful of who I allow around my other kids, as I don't want this to happen to any of them. It has become a very traumatic experience.' He added that the experience 'has made me closer to my son, which I am grateful for'. The boy's father said the abuse had taken a toll on his family as they had to deal with residual trauma. The court heard the victim was extremely vulnerable, with a head injury, and Bell had taken advantage of him. A pre-sentence report indicated Bell was at high risk of reoffending, with distorted thinking and no display of remorse. Alongside charges of sexual connection with a young person and indecent acts with a young person, Bell faced charges of possessing hundreds of objectionable publications and making an objectionable publication that involved the victim. He would look after the victim, who would often spend time at Bell's house and stay overnight. Over 18 months, he performed sex acts on the boy and told him not to tell anyone. The victim was too scared to reveal what was happening. The boy told Bell it was illegal and tried to get away from him once, but Bell held him down. The victim believed Bell had committed the sex acts on him about 50 times. Bell also supplied the boy with cannabis and alcohol. Bell came to the attention of Polish authorities via a cellphone that had received child exploitation material, and in early 2023 the information was passed on to New Zealand police, who executed a search warrant on his home, seizing several devices. More than 1000 files were found on his laptop and cellphone, images involving young boys in a variety of sexual acts and a large array of animals being sexually violated. Bell's web history showed more than 100 searches for child exploitation material and bestiality. Also on his phone were photographs and videos of Bell and the victim. Judge Gerard Lynch described the offending as deplorable, vile and degrading. The judge said Bell had told authorities that if the victim had been unhappy with the offending, he would not have visited his home. Bell's main concern while in custody was with the wellbeing of his cats, Judge Lynch said. Bell was at high risk without treatment, and it had been noted that an intensive sexual treatment programme would be vital. Judge Lynch did not accept Bell's apology and sentenced him to six years and three months' jail. Bell was also placed on the Child Sex Offenders Register as part of his sentencing. MALE SEXUAL ABUSE SURVIVORS Where to get help: If it's an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111. • If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone call the confidential crisis helpline Safe to Talk on 0800 044 334 or text 4334. (available 24/7) • Male Survivors Aotearoa offers a range of confidential support at centres across New Zealand - find your closest one here. • Mosaic - Tiaki Tangata: 0800 94 22 94 (available 11am-8pm) • Alternatively contact your local police station - click here for a list. If you have been abused, remember it's not your fault. Youthline NZYouthline NZ Youth Health Services, Youth helpline Program Centre NZ - Youthline NZ Youthline is an Youth development organisation that works with young people in NZ. Learn and grow with programs, workshops and trainings . Home | Depression and Anxiety | Depression and Anxiety | Welcome to a Brand New Day Everyone experiences depression and anxiety differently. We offer understanding, information, advice and stories of hope to help you navigate the tough times.
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Vulnerable teen exploited, sexually abused
By Al Williams, Open Justice reporter Warning: This story contains details of sexual offending against a child and may be upsetting A teenager with a head injury who suffered years of sexual abuse says he is angry and hoped the man responsible will be jailed for 'a long time'. This month, the teen and his father confronted Shane Bell in court, telling him that other young people should not have to go through what the teen had. 'I find it hard at times to express myself,' the teen told the court. 'I am angry with him, with what he did to me.' He said Bell's actions had made him feel insecure. 'I could not trust other men, I thought they would do the same. I think he should go to jail for a long time - other teenagers should not have to go through this.' Bell, 49, sat expressionless in the Christchurch District Court as the teen and his father, flanked by supporters, struggled to contain their emotions at times during the sentencing hearing. The boy's father said he had a lot of trust in Bell being around his son. 'I don't have any trust in him now after what he has done to my son. I don't even like talking about him, as it makes me angry, what [he did] to my son. 'It has made me mindful of who I allow around my other kids, as I don't want this to happen to any of them. It has become a very traumatic experience.' He added that the experience 'has made me closer to my son, which I am grateful for'. The boy's father said the abuse had taken a toll on his family as they had to deal with residual trauma. The court heard the victim was extremely vulnerable, with a head injury, and Bell had taken advantage of him. A pre-sentence report indicated Bell was at high risk of reoffending, with distorted thinking and no display of remorse. Alongside charges of sexual connection with a young person and indecent acts with a young person, Bell faced charges of possessing hundreds of objectionable publications and making an objectionable publication that involved the victim. He would look after the victim, who would often spend time at Bell's house and stay overnight. Over 18 months, he performed sex acts on the boy and told him not to tell anyone. The victim was too scared to reveal what was happening. The boy told Bell it was illegal and tried to get away from him once, but Bell held him down. The victim believed Bell had committed the sex acts on him about 50 times. Bell also supplied the boy with cannabis and alcohol. Bell came to the attention of Polish authorities via a cellphone that had received child exploitation material, and in early 2023 the information was passed on to New Zealand police, who executed a search warrant on his home, seizing several devices. More than 1000 files were found on his laptop and cellphone, images involving young boys in a variety of sexual acts and a large array of animals being sexually violated. Bell's web history showed more than 100 searches for child exploitation material and bestiality. Also on his phone were photographs and videos of Bell and the victim. Judge Gerard Lynch described the offending as deplorable, vile and degrading. The judge said Bell had told authorities that if the victim had been unhappy with the offending, he would not have visited his home. Bell's main concern while in custody was with the wellbeing of his cats, Judge Lynch said. Bell was at high risk without treatment, and it had been noted that an intensive sexual treatment programme would be vital. Judge Lynch did not accept Bell's apology and sentenced him to six years and three months' jail. Bell was also placed on the Child Sex Offenders Register as part of his sentencing. MALE SEXUAL ABUSE SURVIVORS Where to get help: If it's an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111. • If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone call the confidential crisis helpline Safe to Talk on 0800 044 334 or text 4334. (available 24/7) • Male Survivors Aotearoa offers a range of confidential support at centres across New Zealand - find your closest one here. • Mosaic - Tiaki Tangata: 0800 94 22 94 (available 11am-8pm) • Alternatively contact your local police station - click here for a list. If you have been abused, remember it's not your fault. Youthline NZYouthline NZ Youth Health Services, Youth helpline Program Centre NZ - Youthline NZ Youthline is an Youth development organisation that works with young people in NZ. Learn and grow with programs, workshops and trainings . Home | Depression and Anxiety | Depression and Anxiety | Welcome to a Brand New Day Everyone experiences depression and anxiety differently. We offer understanding, information, advice and stories of hope to help you navigate the tough times.
RNZ News
5 days ago
- RNZ News
Lawyer censured for slapping one colleague's bottom, touching another's back
By Al Williams, Open Justice reporter of File photo. Photo: 123rf A lawyer who slapped a junior male colleague on the bottom and touched a female colleague's lower back during a social function has been censured. The lawyer, a partner at an unnamed firm, urged a New Zealand Law Society standards committee to consider his behaviour in context, stating that more freedom should be allowed for conduct at an out-of-office social function than during the usual working day. However, the committee found his conduct was disrespectful and discourteous towards the employees, who were both junior to him. According to a recently released decision, the behaviour occurred in the context of socialising by some staff members after a team function arranged by their firm. The partner generally accepted that some of his behaviour was inappropriate, that he had blurred professional boundaries, and had consumed excess alcohol that night. However, he did not see that as a breach of professional standards or an abuse of power towards either colleague. According to the standards committee's decision, the lawyer submitted that slapping the male employee on the bottom was "paying [him] respect" and "blokey", and that he was behaving as a friend rather than a partner in the firm. "The committee sees absolutely no circumstance in which physical contact of this type towards any colleague could be described as respectful behaviour. "The committee also considers this behaviour risks perpetuating a workplace culture that the profession is at pains to transform in relation to interactions between colleagues." The lawyer accepted that he placed his hand on the female employee's lower back as she passed through a door. In his view, doing so was "an innocuous courtesy", and he intended "nothing sexual or sinister" by it. The committee did not ascribe any sexual intent to the lawyer's actions, but found it was clear that the female employee was uncomfortable at the time and afterwards. The committee considered that physical touch on the lower back carried an element of intimacy and overfamiliarity that may reasonably have been interpreted as inappropriate by her or a reasonable observer. While there were some contexts in which this would be acceptable to both parties involved, it was likely to be perceived as flirtatious and inappropriate in others, the decision said. The lawyer's evidence was that she approached him to show him a team photograph on her phone, and he assumed her reason for doing so was for him to comment on it. Referring to the photo, the lawyer commented that the woman was "beautiful" and said that, in that context, it was not intended to be disrespectful or discourteous. The committee accepted that the woman was anticipating a comment on the group photo, but not that she was inviting a comment on her own appearance to the exclusion of others (when there was nothing to draw attention to her over any other team member in the photo). The lawyer's contention that his comment was respectful and courteous in the context was not accepted. The committee considered it was more likely than not that the lawyer's judgement about what was appropriate was impaired. "When coupled with his admitted blurring of professional boundaries, his consumption of alcohol meant he was not well placed to exercise the judgement required of him." While the committee did not identify a specific abuse of any power imbalance, it said that didn't mean an imbalance did not exist "by virtue of their roles as partner and junior members of staff". The committee considered that the team's social function, including ongoing socialising that occurred after the formal portion of the function, was a professional, collegial occasion. It found that the lawyer's conduct across the three incidents demonstrated conduct towards both employees that was disrespectful and discourteous. It was generally conduct "that would be regarded by lawyers of good standing as being unacceptable and unprofessional". Due to mitigating factors present in the case, the committee said it did not consider it necessary to impose any penalty. This story originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald.
RNZ News
28-06-2025
- RNZ News
Waikato police officer makes 1700 off-duty database queries
By Al Williams, Open Justice reporter of Photo: 123RF A police officer made around 1700 checks of a person on the police database while off-duty for non-work-related reasons, claiming they believed doing so would make them a "good cop". The Waikato officer's actions led to an investigation that involved an audit of their use of the database. It identified around 1700 queries conducted by the officer between March 2023 to October 2024 while off-duty, according to a report by the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA). The investigation found that, except for "a check that was probably work-related", the officer did not have a work-related reason for any of the queries. As a result, it was found their actions breached police policy and the code of conduct. The officer acknowledged that their use of the database was wrong. They said the checks were for their own information, as they mistakenly believed it would make them a "good cop". An employment process was undertaken to address the breaches. The IPCA's investigation report said the authority oversaw the police investigation and agreed with the outcome, which was not mentioned in the report. But the authority considered there was sufficient information available to suspect the officer had committed an offence under the Crimes Act by accessing the database for non-work-related reasons. "Accordingly, the Authority recommended that Police conduct a criminal investigation as well as an employment investigation at the start of their process," the report said. Relieving Waikato District Commander Superintendent Scott Gemmell said police considered the case did not meet the threshold for prosecution and the officer was subject to an employment process. "NZ police rightly hold all staff to high standards. The misuse of the National Intelligence Application [NIA] is not tolerated and if an employee is found to have inappropriately accessed or misused information, a disciplinary process with appropriate sanctions will be applied." However, Gemmell did not provide the outcome of the process. "Police have the same privacy obligations as any employer, and as such, does not comment on individual employment matters." He said police were focused on performance improvement and expectation setting and this year all staff had been "firmly" reminded that NIA searches must be conducted for legitimate work-related purposes only. The IPCA's report came within days of it being revealed that 50 police employees snooped into the file relating to the death of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming without good reason. An Official Information Act request released to NZME confirmed there have been 76 instances of misuse of the database this year. - This story originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald .
Otago Daily Times
11-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Man's ‘campaign of violence and terror' against woman and child
By Al Williams WARNING: This story is about family violence and may be distressing. A mother was in tears as she shut her eyes and blocked her ears when a man's campaign of terror over her family was revealed in court. She had endured ongoing violence from him over a six-month period, before he turned his attention to her daughter. The woman's tears continued as her daughter went on to describe how his actions had affected her too. 'It has changed my life, since the abuse happened, I don't feel like a normal kid anymore, I feel nervous. The girl was 11 when the man, who has name suppression, showed her online pornography, told her to undress and then indecently assaulted her. 'I don't trust people like I used to, I have a hard time focusing on school now, I try to pay attention, but my head goes blank, I feel like I can't keep up anymore,' she told the court during his sentencing this week. 'I just get angry, other times I start crying, people think I am being dramatic, but they don't know what is going on inside. 'I can't be around crowds, I used to be happier, more outgoing and confident, I have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. 'I didn't deserve what happened and I don't want to feel like this forever.' The pair were caught up in what was described by Judge Raoul Neave in the Christchurch District Court as a campaign of violence and terror. Judge Neave said the offending occurred during a sustained period of violence, fear and control. 'They must have been living in fear.' Weekly beatings The court heard of numerous assaults; the man had initially accused the girl's mother of cheating and pushed her up against a wall, about six months into their relationship. He then backhand punched her while she was holding a baby in the back seat of a car he was driving. After that he started verbally abusing her almost every day . 'She would get a hiding at least once a week,' Judge Neave said. He would punch her while she was holding an infant, and sometimes in the face. Another incident resulted in a permanent scar on her neck. On yet another occasion, he held a kitchen knife to her neck and applied pressure. 'She thought you were going to kill her,' the judge said. The assaults continued after she discovered she was pregnant. The woman told the man in a statement she read in court that she 'walked on eggshells' around him as the assaults happened while the children were present. One thing that could not be excused was the sexual abuse of her daughter, she said. 'She was 11, the fact she looked up to her, you have caused trauma that will never be erased. 'I am terrified of seeing you again, it is essential for everyone here to understand the impact of his actions.' Victim shuts her eyes and blocks her ears The woman, who was visibly emotional throughout the proceedings, shut her eyes and blocked her ears as Judge Neave started to sentence the man. 'I have received a lot of information about you; there is lack of empathy and minimisation.' Some of the offending occurred while the man was coming down from methamphetamine, the judge said. There had been a background of health difficulties, family problems and a history of drug use. Judge Neave said it was possible other factors were paired in the man's inability to make sound judgments, but not a 'huge' link. 'This was sustained violence, assault in varying types, use of weapons, any number of household items available to you. 'The victim suffered from a number of injuries; they were varied and numerous and repeated.' At times the victim was very vulnerable because of her pregnancy, especially when she was on the ground during the assaults, the judge said. Judge Neave said the assault against the child victim was aggravated by the viewing of pornography. 'It was sustained and intrusive.' Violent and sexual offending Crown prosecutor Penny Brown said it was both violent and sexual offending with numerous and extensive attacks to the neck and in the presence of children. There was also a risk to an unborn child, she said. 'I want to say the guilty plea was extremely late, it spared the young victim from giving evidence at trial.' Defence lawyer Kathy Basire said there were multiple reports and letters of support and she described him as a 'different man now'. She said a sentence of home detention could be reached. There was a 'nexus' with his background issues in terms of the offending, she said. Judge Neave responded, saying the man had turned into a 'violent terrorist in the home'. Basire said he was coming down off methamphetamine. 'It doesn't justify or explain six months of violence,' the judge said. Judge Neave jailed the man for two years and 10 months on charges of an indecent act with a child, exposure of a young person to indecent material, assault with a weapon (representative), assault on a person in a family relationship (representative) and assault on a person in a family relationship. FAMILY VIOLENCE How to get help: If you're in danger now: • Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours or friends to ring for you.• Run outside and head for where there are other people. Scream for help so your neighbours can hear you.• Take the children with you. Don't stop to get anything else.• If you are being abused, remember it's not your fault. Violence is never okay.
