Repeat rapist admits another sex offence

File photo / NZ Herald

A repeat rapist serving a sentence of preventive detention has admitted to another sex offence at a parole hearing.

Tavita Tuetue, 57, was sentenced in 2000 to preventive detention after being found guilty of a series of brutal home invasions and rapes of young women in the Christchurch area.

At a parole hearing in February, he read a letter acknowledging responsibility for further offending against another woman.

He had been told at a previous hearing in 2013 that police had linked him to the crime through DNA, however the victim did not wish to pursue charges.

At that hearing, in February 2013, Tuetue said he had disclosed all his offending and had nothing further to admit.

The board requested that the information from police about the timing and detail of the offence be provided to Tuetue.

At last month's hearing, Tuetue changed his stance and acknowledged he was responsible for the crime.

He said he had not been prepared to discuss it before, but following the death of one of his supporters, and on reflection, he wanted to take full responsibility for all his offending.

Tuetue did not seek parole.

The board said he has been removed from reintegrative activities because of the risk of prosecution and a further finite sentence, which would affect his eligibility for parole.

The board noted another of his victims opposed parole because he had not yet fully disclosed his offending to family and friends.