Dementia a factor in ruling on sex abuser

Authorities have ordered a notorious sex offender with deteriorating mental capacity to live in a secure facility to protect the community — but are allowing him to return to the scene of his crimes on day visits.

His neighbours are furious and say it is “unacceptable” that the man who was recently before the courts for breaching an extended supervision, is allowed back near their kids.

Ronald van der Plaat, 84, has been before the courts since late 2017, but until recently, a suppression order prevented reporting on the case.

In 2000 he was jailed for 14 years for subjecting his daughter to “bizarre and depraved” sexual abuse between 1983 and 1992.

After van der Plaat was released from prison in 2016 — having been paroled and recalled for breaching his conditions — Corrections granted an extended supervision order with fulltime GPS monitoring and a ban on contact with anyone under 16.

But in June 2017 he was charged with breaching that order after he was allegedly seen by a number of people speaking to a young girl in the Te Atatu street where he was living.

As a result of the alleged breach, many residents sought or obtained trespass orders to keep van der Plaat away from their homes and children.

He was later charged with three further breaches.

After more than two years before the courts, the case was resolved on Friday with Judge Noel Sainsbury deeming van der Plaat unfit to enter a plea or stand trial because of his worsening dementia.

The original breached charge was stayed and van der Plaat was released from the court system. The other three charges were withdrawn.

Van der Plaat was in court for the hearing, supported by Charlotte Stravers, his ex-wife and the mother of his daughter.

The former couple have always maintained their daughter was lying about the sexual abuse.

“Mr van der Plaat now has severe dementia; he will not recover,” said Judge Sainsbury. “There is a lack of pragmatic options . . . accordingly it is appropriate to make an order staying this charge.”

Under the ESO — and as a result of the alleged breaches — Corrections had ordered van der Plaat to live fulltime in a secure facility where he is monitored and can only leave during the day with an approved caregiver.

A resident of the street where the alleged breaches occurred said those visits were “unacceptable” as he was using them to return to his home.

“It is sheer incompetence on the part of Corrections to allow him back.”