Strike Two

Stuff reports:

A Hastings man who sexually assaulted an 87-year-old woman in her home was on parole at the time.

Name suppression on Hugh Hemi Tuatua Tareha, 30, was lifted yesterday after he admitted the attack on November 7 last year.

It can now be revealed that he attacked another woman on the same day – and that he was on parole at the time for the robbery of an elderly woman.

Tareha had been before the Parole Board just the day before and had led the board to believe he was motivated to make changes.

“We are pleased with his performance,” the board wrote in its report on November 6.

Well they got that one wrong.

Yesterday, Justice Simon France entered the convictions and noted that Tareha would receive a second strike under the three strikes legislation at sentencing in September. He ordered a cultural report and two health reports, as the Crown was seeking preventive detention. Tareha was remanded in custody.

This is excellent. No parole for him next time, and if he offends again, then he will receive the maximum sentence for his crimes.

Make sure you vote to retain the three strikes law at the election.