PAROLE DECLINED

A man who filmed himself repeatedly raping a young girl will remain in jail as he poses a high risk to the community. Jarred James Hutchison was sentenced in 2006 to 13-anda-half years imprisonment, with a seven-and-a-half year non-parole period for a raft of sexual crimes. Police found his stash of selfmade pornography when they searched his west Auckland home. Hutchison pleaded guilty in the High Court at Auckland to 24 counts of rape, 51 counts of unlawful sexual connection and 16 counts of making objectionable films. He became eligible for parole at the end of 2012 but the Parole Board made an order postponing that hearing for three years.

COUNCIL SHAKEUP

New mayor Phil Goff has slashed the number of committees from 19 to nine. Goff named Waitakere councillor Penny Hulse as chairwoman of the Environment & Community Committee. Chris Darby was named Planning Committee chairman while Denise Lee will be Darby’s deputy. Of the six councillors fronting with Goff at his appointment announcement four are considered National leaning. Whau councillor Ross Clow has been appointed chairman of the Finance & Performance Committee with Desley Simpson deputy-chairperson. Civil Defence & Emergency Management chairperson will be Sharon Stewart. Waitakere Ward councillor Linda Cooper will chair the Regulatory Committee.

SEXUAL VIOLENCE COURT

A pilot programme beginning in December aims to cut the length of time it takes sexual violence cases to get to trial. Chief District Court Judge Jan-Marie Doogue says the new programme is aimed at reducing the number of adjournments and delays in the court process. As part of the scheme, there will be a specialist training programme for judges dealing with offenders facing sex charges. The pilot is a judge-led initiative, funded by the Ministry of Justice. Cases heard will be at Auckland and Whangarei district courts. It’s aimed at making case review processes more efficient, and to reduce adjournments. Judges begin training in January.