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Walter Ross
.
Sexual violation by digital penetration (x3) and by oral connection, indecently assaulting a boy under 12 (x2), doing an indecent act on a boy under 12 (x3), indecently assaulting a girl under 12 as well as performing indecencies on animals from 2002-2006
Also had two previous similar convictions, committed while on bail
.
.
none known
Born 1976
Under "supervision" in Ashburton
Sentenced to 7 years with a 4 year 8 month non-parole period in July 2005
Paroled July 2010, recalled to due to breach of conditions
Released November 2011 under a 10 year supervision order
Background
From the Press (Christchurch) 16th July 2005
Children were targeted for sexual abuse by Walter James Ross after he ingratiated himself with their families and social circle, a court has been told. In the High Court in Christchurch, Justice Hansen said the fact Ross had never done a rehabilitative programme kept him from preventive detention, but it was a close run. He imposed a sentence of seven years jail and ordered Ross to serve the maximum non- parole period of two- thirds. Ross, 30, admitted four counts of sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection, two counts of indecently assaulting a boy under 12, three of doing an indecent act on a boy under 12, indecently assaulting a girl under 12, and performing indecencies on animals.
His Honour said some of the offending, which happened over three years, occurred while on bail. Ross, who had been sexually abused as a teenager, had two previous similar convictions, but had turned down the chance of a rehabilitative programme while in prison. When interviewed, he admitted the offending, and also sex acts with animals in an effort to prevent himself offending against children. A pattern was discernible. "You befriend people, then start abusing the children, the offending forming a similar pattern in each case," His Honour said. Victim-impact reports revealed typical effects. The children in one family had to be placed in social-welfare care for a time, and wanted to be back with their family. "Although there were no ongoing physical effects, doubt of adults, grief, loss, all of the typical effects, will remain for years in the future," His Honour said.
"This will have a serious impact on their lives. I doubt you have much empathy, despite the fact you were sexually abused yourself." One family had spoken about the financial effects of the abuse since it would have to pay for ongoing counselling, His Honour said. Arguing against preventive detention, lawyer Raoul Neave said Ross now thought it foolish he turned down the chance to take treatment and was willing to undertake a programme such as Kia Marama. He had voluntarily gone to the police and confessed some of the offending, which would never have come to light otherwise, Neave said. Prosecutor Ian Murray said the offending was aggravated because of five separate victims, their young ages, the abuse of trust, and the offending in their homes. Two had been repeatedly abused. Ross also had previous relevant convictions.
Ross had in the past declined the chance for rehabilitation and continued to indiscriminately offend when released. The need for public protection was now paramount, given Ross's apparent inability to control himself. Ross had reached the end, and his professed motivation to change had to be viewed sceptically, Murray said. His Honour noted that it appeared Ross's father offended similarly against another family member and was jailed. Ross was placed in a special-needs class and at 13 was abused by a teacher, along with other children. A report pointed to a risk of reoffending, and to the difficulty of predicting Ross's behaviour in the future. Much of it occurred in the children's bedrooms, where they had every right to feel safe. The effects were especially severe on the two victims regularly abused. But unusually, it was a case where there had been no intervention in jail, so a long, finite sentence was preferable, His Honour said.
Despite participating in the Kia Marama therapy programme Ross continues to remain a danger to children. A psychological report found Ross to be at "high risk" of committing further sex offences against children and that the highest likelihood was to be against male victims.
