Gloriavale leader in assault probe
Gloriavale leader Howard Temple has been investigated for assaulting a woman, yet despite his admission he used force, police will not charge him.
Temple, who took over as the isolated West Coast Christian community’s Overseeing Shepherd after Hopeful Christian’s death, was investigated for an assault on a 37-year-old in January.
The woman had left the community, but was there to visit her mother.
Police documents, seen by Stuff, show the woman told police that Temple grabbed her around the back of the neck and shoulders. In the ensuing struggle her head hit the ground and while she was on the ground a Gloriavale woman pulled her hair so hard her eyes watered.
The victim told police she received facial bruising and marks on her neck and back from the incident.
She immediately reported the assault to the police and made an official statement the next day.
The woman involved has declined to speak to the media about the incident.
Temple, when approached for comment, said: ‘‘Listen, I’m sorry. I can’t comment in any way. I am not free to discuss anything with you.’’
A source close to the victim said she had experienced anxiety, trauma and a sore back since the incident.
Temple attempted to block her from seeing her mother in the preschool, where they both worked for 14 years.
He repeatedly told her she had no right to visit or talk to her mother. The struggle happened when she refused to stop and talk to him, and tried to enter through another door.
Temple admitted to police he used force to stop the woman entering the preschool centre. Witnesses from the community told police they saw a ‘‘struggle’’ between Temple and the woman as he tried to remove her. After a fivemonth investigation, police found Temple’s use of force was technically an assault, but was reasonable and justified to prevent the woman from trespassing.
The police noted Temple was a lawful occupier of the property who was entitled to allow or disallow anyone on the property.
However, according to the source, the victim did not believe she was trespassing.
She grew up in Gloriavale, married and had several children in there, finally leaving in August 2019.
She understood she had a right to enter the property after Gloriavale wrote new policies saying family members were allowed to visit as a result of the Charities Services investigation in 2017.
Detective Senior Sergeant Kirsten Norton said in a statement yesterday she could not discuss the specifics of the case for privacy reasons.
Police conducted a ‘‘thorough investigation’’ and reviewed the evidence, she said.
‘‘Police need to apply the Solicitor General’s Guidelines regarding the decision to prosecute.
‘‘In this case, the evidential test was not met.’’
Questions are now being asked around how trespass law in New Zealand applies to Gloriavale.
‘‘Gloriavale is known for splitting families, and making visits very difficult.
‘‘The leaders are in control over who you speak to, and family members inside Gloriavale come under extreme pressure to cut off their loved ones who have left,’’ one source said.
‘‘We are aware of a number of altercations over the years, between senior members of Gloriavale and visitors, however this is the first time a woman has been assaulted.
‘‘We are sad that Gloriavale will not allow people to visit their families peaceably.’’