Concerns over landlord with sex assault record
A Christchurch woman is warning people against renting a room from a man who spent five years in prison for sexual assault.
Emily Green says Shane Duffy never told her about his conviction and she is worried for other women who may stay at his home.
Duffy told The Press the conviction was more than 20 years ago and he had not had as much as a parking ticket since getting out of jail in 2000.
He messaged Green on September 8 after she posted on social media asking for a place to rent before she moved to Australia. He offered a ‘‘clean room’’ in Edgeware for $140 a week. Duffy sent her several photos of the property, including a photo of two women who stayed with him.
Green, who is 17 weeks pregnant, moved into the property on September 14 as she wanted a ‘‘safe, secure place to rent’’.
In the days following, Duffy did her washing several times without her asking.
Green felt it was ‘‘a bit invasive’’ but let it slide because she thought he was just being helpful.
He joked about having cameras in the house, she said, which made her feel uncomfortable. On Thursday night, Green said, she was short of breath and leaned on the kitchen bench when he started touching her lower back.
Following an argument later that evening, she moved out and posted on social media warning others about him. She received several messages from other women saying they also had concerns about their stay with Duffy.
Green felt ‘‘sick’’ when she became aware of his sexual assault conviction. Green shared her concerns with police, who confirmed they would be ‘‘making inquiries’’.
Duffy said he did rub Green’s lower back as he thought she was in pain and ‘‘didn’t know what to do’’. He said his sexual assault conviction in 1995, involved a 28-year-old woman. He pleaded guilty and spent five years in prison, he said. Duffy did not believe it was inappropriate to rent his spare room to women.
He was made aware of Green’s posts and other comments about him through friends, and is considering complaining to police about the posts and threats made towards him.
The Press has spoken with several other women who have stayed at Duffy’s home.
Zoe Kennedy and her twin sister, Jessie Kennedy, moved into Duffy’s house on June 4 after he messaged them following a social media post.
The 21-year-olds, from Britain, had no place to live at the time. Zoe Kennedy said Duffy joked about having cameras in the house, which ‘‘kind of freaked us out’’.
‘‘He started complimenting me and Jessie, hugging us, touching us on the lower back and generally just made us feel uncomfortable.’’ The sisters moved out after about four weeks over concerns he had gone through her phone.
She felt ‘‘angry and uncomfortable’’ when she found out he had a sexual assault conviction.
Natalie Lopez, then 24, arrived from Mexico in April 2019. Before arriving she posted on social media looking for a room.
Duffy picked her up from the airport when she arrived and things started off well. She began to feel uncomfortable when she found her clean clothes on her bed, including her underwear.
She was not aware of the sexual assault conviction. ‘‘I feel bad about it, I should have been more careful,’’ she said.
Tenants Protection Association manager Penny Arthur said Duffy did not have to disclose his conviction. Anyone who had any concerns about ‘‘inappropriate’’ behaviour should report it to police, she said.
Canterbury district adult sexual assault co-ordinator Detective Senior Sergeant Nicola Reeves said people should be aware of what they were committing to, and asking pertinent questions and setting ground rules.