Convicted paedophile fails in bid to be released

File photo / NZ Herald

A convicted paedophile who shows an "alarming lack of insight" into his offending has failed in his bid to be released from prison.

Gary Kevin Pooley, 69, argued he got "a raw deal" when he was sentenced in the High Court at Auckland in May to nine years in prison with a minimum non-parole period of four-and-a-half years.

He earlier pleaded guilty to 16 charges of sexual offending against children, in exchange for a further nine charges being withdrawn.

The offending over four years, from mid-2005 to early 2009, involved four girls and two boys aged five to 12.

Pooley befriended the neighbourhood children using lollies, chocolate and money, and built up a trusting relationship with their caregivers, some of whom allowed their children to stay overnight at his house.

The sentencing judge said Pooley's worst offending was against a girl, aged seven to 11 at the time.

Representing himself before the Court of Appeal, Pooley argued his prison sentence was excessive and a community work sentence would be more appropriate.

He said he was persuaded to plead guilty but was later appalled at the allegations made against him, saying he got "a bit of a raw deal" at sentencing.

Pooley argued the seriousness of the allegations was exaggerated, and claimed his principal victim had initiated the relationship.

His partner was the best thing in his life and there was no possibility he would offend again, he said.

The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal, saying his submissions indicated an "alarming lack of insight".

While he had shown some remorse, he had a lack of insight into the seriousness of his offending and the ongoing harm it had caused his six victims, the Court found.

There was a risk he would offend again, despite his age, and the minimum non-parole period was appropriate to protect the community and deter him from further offending.