Parole Board admits Capill blunder

Graham Capill during his sentencing in 2005. Photo / Simon Baker

The Parole Board has had to apologise to convicted paedophile Graham Capill and his victims after it botched up details in a written decision denying him parole.

But it says the blunder would not have affected the outcome of the hearing.

Capill, 51, a former police prosecutor and Christian Heritage Party leader, has four times been denied parole on his 2005 sentence of nine years' prison for multiple child sex offences.

In its most recent decision, released last week, the Parole Board made reference to Capill receiving ACC counselling and attending AA meetings.

But the board has since admitted those references were incorrect and "a genuine error".

The board said it sincerely apologised for any distress caused, and written apologies had been supplied to Capill and any victims registered with the board.

An amended decision without the erroneous references would likely be available next week, after Capill and his victims had received copies.

Board spokeswoman Sonja de Friez said she was unable to confirm whether the incorrect references had been presented to the board at Capill's most recent hearing on September 28, citing privacy reasons.

"We're quite confident that it was a genuine error and that it wouldn't have affected any aspects of the decision-making process," she said earlier today.

"It's very, very clear from the information that it didn't have any bearing on the decision whatsoever."

Capill was not present at the hearing, having waived his entitlement to appear, and would therefore have been unavailable to clarify any facts.

In its decision last week, Parole Board panel convener Judge Barry Lovegrove said the board was still not satisfied Capill was not a risk to the community.

After serving five years and three months in prison, he was well behaved and drug-free, but a psychologist's report put him at moderate risk of sexual re-offending.

He was now taking the Kia Marama child sex offender treatment programme, which was due to run until later this year with follow-up maintenance thereafter.

"As things stand, with important work still to be done, the board cannot be satisfied Capill poses no undue risk to the safety of the community," Judge Lovegrove said.

Capill's statutory release date is June 27, 2014.

- NZPA