Halaholo back on the field for Suburbs
A former Southland Stags rugby player convicted of doing indecent acts in front of children has returned to premier club rugby in Auckland.
Dylan Halaholo, 23, ran out for Gallaher Shield champions Suburbs Rugby Football Club on March 18 in the Waka Nathan Cup.
His professional career ended last year after he pleaded guilty to three charges of doing an indecent act in a public place, twice in front of young girls.
A police summary of facts said in May 2016 Halaholo parked his car in a car park beside a vehicle which contained 9-and 6-year-old girls, and masturbated.
The second admitted offence was about a month later in the same car park where he offended against two 10-year-old girls. A month on he returned to the car park. The last victim was a 23-year-old woman.
He was convicted in the Invercargill District Court and sentenced to 18 months intensive supervision - ending April 2018. Halaholo unsuccessfully applied for a discharge without conviction, and name suppression.
The Department of Corrections stated that intensive supervision was imposed if the court deemed it would reduce the likelihood of someone offending again by supporting their rehabilitation needs, and re-integration into the community.
The terms of Halaholo’s supervision included him undertaking and completing appropriate assessment, treatment and counselling, as directed by a probation officer.
In addition to his supervision, the judge imposed a requirement of judicial monitoring. A progress report was required after three months.
Club chairman Stefan Crooks declined to comment when asked whether he had any concerns over registering Halaholo. He declined to say whether Halaholo’s convictions had been discussed.
Premier captain Carl Perry also declined to comment about Halaholo’s three convictions, but said; ‘‘Dylan has played for us before and is familiar with our game plan. He’s physical and has a really good understanding of our game’’.
Halaholo played 17 games for the Southland Stags in 2014 and 2015. Attempts to contact Halaholo for comment were not successful.