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Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Security status block to prison programmes
A man who committed a violent armed robbery of a Clinton dairy is yet to access any programmes behind bars because of his maximum-security status. Caleb Neil Fleming, 24, is serving a term of more than five years' imprisonment, imposed in 2023 — his third stint in jail. At a hearing last month, the Parole Board heard the Auckland Prison inmate had been waitlisted for drug treatment and a medium-intensity group programme but because of Corrections rules he was unable to start that treatment until his security status dropped. Fleming had been responsible for "unrelenting misconducts" the board previously heard, and in his most recent report panel convener Judge Geoffrey Ellis pointed to 20 recent incidents logged by prison staff. Fleming came to Dunedin seeking a fresh start in 2021 and a chance meeting at the library led to him being offered a bed at a family home. But after just five days of hospitality, he stole the car of the Good Samaritans and drove to Food For Thought in Clinton. The court at sentencing heard Fleming covered his face and armed himself with a tyre iron before entering the store. When staff refused to hand over cash and cigarettes, he smashed the till, a pie warmer and damaged a microwave. On his way out, Fleming robbed a shopper of $30. Police quickly tailed him on the way to Balclutha and, after the chase was abandoned for safety reasons, they found the driver had smashed into a sign outside a hotel. Fleming was arrested after a short foot pursuit. He was later convicted in relation to an unrelated burglary in which he damaged a property, and there had been another violent incident while he was at the Otago Corrections Facility. Fleming was found with two shanks made from shards of glass and engaged in a 20-minute struggle with Corrections staff as they attempted to restrain him. The Parole Board heard the prisoner had worked with a psychologist for a couple of months last year but the sessions had ended when he failed to show up. Fleming, though, said he was getting a lot out of the appointments and was keen to continue them. Given his apparent enthusiasm, Judge Ellis directed a follow-up by psychological services to determine whether they could resume treatment. While Fleming got a positive report from a kaupapa Maori practitioner with whom he was working, and his behaviour in prison had improved in the last month, the board said he remained an undue risk of release. "Mr Fleming still has some serious work to do to reduce his risk of re-offending," Judge Ellis said. Fleming's next parole hearing was set for February and though the board said he would have unlikely completed the necessary rehabilitative work it would be an opportunity to review his progress. His sentence expires in July next year.
Otago Daily Times
22-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Early release for robber
A Mosgiel man who committed two armed robberies in a fortnight has been released on parole after serving just over half of his sentence. Ashley Charles Old, 32, was jailed for four years, eight months in April 2023 after pleading guilty to two charges of aggravated robbery. The Parole Board, in a recently released decision, allowed Old early release in March — two years, two months before the expiry of his prison term — noting the extensive rehabilitative work he had completed. He had done drug counselling, the Medium Intensity Rehabilitative Programme and specialist kaupapa Maori group therapy. "Mr Old spoke well about the rehabilitation he has undertaken, the risks of offending and the strategies he has," panel convener Mary More said. "The board is satisfied that he has completed the rehabilitative phase of his sentence, and that with the special conditions proposed, any residual risk can be met." In August 2022, Old and his associates burst through the back door of a Caversham address, brandishing three machetes, a hammer and a set of nunchucks between them. After demanding the victims got on the floor, the men "trashed" the lounge while threatening the victims. The male resident was punched and stomped before the assailants made off with cash, bank cards, identification, electronics and four pairs of shoes. Old later told police he had gone to the house looking for cannabis. Just two weeks later, he and a co-defendant, donning masks and hooded tops, entered Mosgiel's Crofters Bar near closing time. Old kept lookout while his mate, wielding a sawn-off shotgun, jumped the bar and began prodding the duty manager in her back, demanding to know where the safe was. The duo got away with about $5000, the court heard at sentencing. The Parole Board heard Old had a raft of previous convictions to his name, including driving charges, serious violence and breaches of sentence. Since being at Whanganui Prison, he had been in a minimum-security unit and had been "respectful and compliant". Ms More noted "some ambiguity" with Old's proposed accommodation, but the details of issue were redacted in the board's written decision. Among the conditions of parole were: ■To live at an approved address in the Manawatu/Whanganui region. ■Not to possess alcohol or non-prescription drugs. ■To attend any treatment as directed. ■Not to contact co-offender or victims. ■Not to possess any firearm or ammunition.
