New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(1) of the Parole Act 2002

Martin Henry LAWES

Hearing: 16 March 2020

at Northern Regional Correctional Facility via AVL to New Zealand Parole Board, Wellington

Members of the Board:

• Sir Ron Young (Chairperson)
• Mr A Hackney
• Mr A Spierling

Counsel:                                            

• Mr D Jones QC

Support Persons:

• [withheld]

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Mr Lawes was sentenced to four years and six months’ imprisonment for dealing with under 18 year olds for sexual purposes as well as possession of objectional material.  Mr Lawes is 76 years of age, minimum security classification and he has a final release date of March 2023.  This is his first time appearing before the Parole Board.
2. As far as the facts are concerned the offending appeared to involve a period between 2013 and 2017 although the precise dates are difficult to identify.  Mr Lawes’ live-streamed child sexual exploitation.  The exploitation was at Mr Lawes’ direction on many occasions.  Over a period of some nine years, Mr Lawes transferred over $100,000 to the families involved.  The live-streaming was recorded and the images subsequently used.  In addition, Mr Lawes was found with a number of objectionable videos on his computer.
3. As far as the current position is concerned, this is Mr Lawes’s first appearance before the Parole Board.  He has completed the Short Intervention Programme.  When he began, the psychologist noted that he had a distorted view of his offending, he identified others who were responsible, minimised the impact and saw himself as simply helping the people involved.  He apparently had some eight months of psychological work over a period of some 16 sessions before sentencing.  We agree with the assessment of the Corrections psychologist that this appears to have been of little or no value to Mr Lawes given, when he started his prison sentence he had the attitudes we have mentioned.
4. We talked to Mr Lawes today in quite some detail about his offending and his understanding of it.  It is proper to acknowledge that Mr Lawes does seem to have a better understanding or a better acknowledgement of both his part in the offending and the effect on the victims.  We still think he has some way to go, however, but we are satisfied, given the extensive support he now has, given the safety plan which he was prepared which does now identify all of his high-risk situations and, given the Short Intervention Programme, that he is no longer an undue risk and can be released.
5. He will be released on 30 March.  We have added in an accommodation provision requiring him to live with [withheld].  The special conditions will last for a period of 2 years.

   (1) Not to have contact or otherwise associate, with a person under the age of 16 years, directly or indirectly unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer, or unless you are under the supervision and in the presence of an adult approved in writing by a Probation Officer.

   (2) To attend a psychological assessment and attend, participate in and complete any recommended treatment as directed by a Probation Officer.

   (3) Not to have contact or otherwise associate, with any victim of your offending, directly or indirectly, unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

   (4) Not to use or possess any device capable of accessing the internet unless you are under the direct supervision of an adult approved in writing by a Probation Officer, or unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

   (5) Upon request, to make available to a Probation Officer, or his or her agent, any electronic device capable of accessing the internet that is used by you, or is in your possession or control, for the purpose of monitoring your use of the device.

   (6) To reside at [withheld] or any other address approved in writing by a probation officer, and not move from that address unless you have the prior written approval of a probation officer.