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A former Salvation Army captain was described today as "opportunistic and predatory" after he abused a position of trust to commit sexual offences against four women.
Standing in the dock in the High Court in Hamilton supported by a crutch under his right arm, Maxwell Lawrence Trimble showed little emotion as he was jailed for nine years, with a minimum non-parole period of five years.
Trimble, 64, of Waihi, had earlier been found guilty by a jury on seven charges of sexually and indecently assaulting four women between December 2003 and February 2005.
Justice Hugh Williams said all four victims had come into contact with Trimble because of his Salvation Army position, three having voluntarily sought out an army officer and the fourth placed in his care while completing a community work sentence.
With all four he had been opportunistic and predatory in using his position of trust and power to abuse the victims, Justice Williams said.
"What is significant is that you continue to deny the offending and there is a complete absence of remorse to all of the four victims," Justice Williams told Trimble.
Trimble was said to have fondled the breast of one of his victims and put his hand down her pants while helping her write a letter.
A second said Trimble threatened to fail her on her probation conditions unless she had sex with him.
Another woman said she was forced to have oral sex with Trimble.
Justice Williams said the victim impact statements showed Trimble's offending had a devastating effect.
One woman was shocked at Trimble's actions but did not resist "because she held the church and you in high regard". The woman had since had problems with relationships and had a child taken by Child, Youth and Family.
A second had a relationship break down, had returned to prescription drugs and was now unemployed, Justice Williams said.
Crown prosecutor Rebecca Mann said Trimble's offending was repeated and premeditated and an abuse of a position of trust, calling for a jail term of 10 to 13 years.
Ms Mann said Trimble's lack of remorse was also an aggravating factor, saying he still believed he had been sent by God to work with the community and wished to continue this work behind bars if he was jailed.
Trimble's lawyer Paul Mabey said a sentence of nine to 10 years was more appropriate due to the totality principle of sentencing and his clean record for 60 years.
Trimble's wife silently mouthed "I love you" to him as he was led away from the dock.
Police inquiry head Detective Sergeant Glenn Tinsley of Waihi did not wish to comment on the sentence but said he was disappointed Trimble had shown no remorse.
"That's really important for any victim, to have their assailant be remorseful and know what they've done is wrong but in this case that hasn't happened. He's fairly defiant, I think," Mr Tinsley told NZPA outside the court.
"I think the complainants are relieved that they're through this part of the process but it's still ongoing, it's still happened, they've still got to get over it."
Mr Tinsley said the Salvation Army had been extremely helpful during the police investigation.
"It's sad because they're a large church with a big community support network and their good name has been tarnished by one or two bad eggs in the last couple of years.
"I think that they do a lot of good for the community and it's something we shouldn't overlook."
- NZPA
