Sex Abuse Caregiver Handed "Joke" Sentence - Parent

TVNZ
November 14, 2013

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/sex-abuse-caregiver-handed-joke-sentence-parent-5709714

[with video]

A Far North caregiver who admitted sexually abusing young boys could be out of jail in less than three years.

Daniel Taylor, 34, has been sentenced to five years and seven months behind bars but will be eligible for parole in half that time.

Family members of the victims said the jail term is not long enough, with one describing the sentence as a joke.

Taylor was a caregiver for Child, Youth and Family. One of his victims told the court the offending against him made him question his sexuality, while another contemplated taking his own life.

A family spokesperson said the families are very disappointed because as a church leader and businessman Taylor was given a lot of trust and had a lot of power.

Taylor admitted nine sex offences against five boys over a six year period but police said a number of the charges were representative and involved more than one offence.

The offending related to incidents with boys as young as 12 between 2007 and 2011, including one placed in his care by Child, Youth and Family.

"He was in court care for 319 days, in this time you offended against him nearly every second week," Justice Peter Woodhouse said to Taylor.

In a victim impact statement, the boy spoke of waking up crying from dreams about Taylor, and feeling scared to be around other men.

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He wanted to tell someone from CYF what was happening, but didn't think anyone would believe him because Taylor was a respected member of the Mormon church.

"I was too shy and started feeling guilty like it was all my fault," he said, adding that he started to bully other children because he was so angry.

Taylor 'groomed the victims'

Victim impact statements by three other victims, all brothers, were read to the court, including one who said he has thought about hanging himself.

One said he confronted and swore at Taylor at church when he found out his brothers had also been abused.

He said he was embarrassed and didn't want to tell anyone because he was afraid they would think he was gay.

One boy said he had felt confused and disgusted by Taylor's offending, and became withdrawn from friends and school. Another said he was abused by Taylor for years, and he often felt a sense of guilt. "I now know I'm not for blame for what you did to me," he said.

The court heard Taylor would force himself on the boys and that they would put up a fight.

Mr Woodhouse said he befriended the victims and their families and "groomed the victims by spending money on them and by taking them to various places".

Taylor looked a mother and friend of the victims straight in the eyes as they read statements written by their children about the harm he has caused.

Taylor is a well-known businessman in Kaitaia and was a youth leader at a Mormon church. The church issued a statement this afternoon saying it has zero tolerance for abuse of any kind.

Spokesman Richard Hunter said Taylor had been excommunicated - the most severe discipline the church can impose.

Taylor was supported in court today by a Catholic priest. His lawyer said Taylor was sorry for unravelling the lives of his victims and their families.

But Detective Inspector Kevin Burke says while Taylor has been sentenced, his victims will remain victims for the rest of their lives.

Mr Burke said this case had been an example of agencies working together and police hope any further victims of sexual abuse in Northland will come forward.

'Hell' for the community

Taylor's sentencing is the latest in a series of child sex cases to hit the Far North.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says she has spent a lot of time in the area which is "going through hell".

Ms Bennett said paedophiles sometimes pick more isolated areas where locals are pleased to welcome others willing to work and become part of their community.

"This is the downside of something that should be really positive," she said.

The Minister said steps are being taken to improve background checks on people like Taylor and teacher James Parker who is one of New Zealand's worst paedophiles.

Meanwhile James Sanders, 65, is due back in Kaitaia District Court next week on charges against seven school-age girls.