Sex offender gets 11 months

Photo / File

A Wanganui businessman found guilty of having unlawful sexual connection with a 15-year-old must place a notice at his workplace warning those under the age of 16 not to enter without an adult.

Name suppression was lifted on Andrew Deighton who groomed his 15-year old victim for unlawful sexual connection in 2008, and yesterday was sentenced to a total of 11 months' home detention on three counts to which he had earlier pleaded guilty.

Deighton, 59, was sentenced by Judge Les Atkins in Wanganui District Court yesterday to 11 months for unlawful sexual connection, four months concurrent for an indecent act on a young person, and two months concurrent for intentionally meeting the young girl.

A further six months' post-detention supervision was imposed and would follow the home detention sentence.

In February, Deighton appeared before Judge Michael Behrens, who indicated a sentence of 22 months in prison, subject to home detention. Deighton entered guilty pleas at that appearance.

The young woman read her victim impact report yesterday and told the court how Deighton's offending continued to impact her life and relationships with her family and partner.

Judge Atkins told Deighton he heard how the damage to his victim had continued beyond the actual offending.

"Her victim impact report made it clear what damage she has suffered."

Deighton's lawyer, Roger Crowley, told Judge Atkins his client had insight into his offending and was remorseful. Deighton had lost his marriage and he had suffered emotionally and financially.

A special condition placed on Deighton was that a notice must be placed at his business warning those aged under 16 years that they must be accompanied by an adult on the premises.

Mr Crowley argued that this would continue to victimise Deighton.

"People who have been convicted do not have to carry around notices," Mr Crowley said.

Judge Atkins said the notice was not about victimising, but the offending had taken place on Deighton's business premises.