Rapist denied parole

A Southland man jailed for a horrific attack on a Dutch couple in 2009 has been denied parole.

Maakiti Joseph Tipene, 34, is serving a 10-year sentence for several charges of physical and sexual violence.

In January, 2009, Tipene burst in on a backpacking pair as they slept in their station wagon at a camping ground in Tuatapere.

Tipene pulled a sleeping bag off the woman, raped her and forced her to perform sexual acts on him while holding the knife to her.

He appealed the sentence in 2009, saying it was manifestly excessive. It was later denied.

Tipene became eligible for parole in July 2015, and his sentence is due to end on January 16, 2019.

He appeared before the parole board on December 13, 2017, where it was noted that he had completed the Adult Sex Offender’s Treatment programme in 2016 and also the Drug Treatment programme in 2015.

The board originally directed his release for good behaviour to be on February 14, but later revoked it when a memorandum from a principal psychologist said Tipene had been implicated in the use and introduction of contraband into the Self Care Unit he lived in.

The board said it did not have confidence he would be able to comply with the strict conditions of parole.

He is due to be seen by the board again in July.