11 Mar 2015

Repeat offender given preventive detention

4:46 pm on 11 March 2015

A man who has had 70 previous convictions and 30 jail terms since the age of 16 has been given preventive detention by a judge in the High Court in Hamilton.

Gavin John Turia, 62, appeared on charges of aggravated burglary, indecent assault, injuring with intent and assault with a weapon, to which he had earlier pleaded guilty.

Justice Faire sent him to jail for five years and eight months but agreed to a Crown request for preventive detention.

He said Turia's mental health issues were likely to fuel further violent or sexual offending, most likely involving the use of potentially fatal weapons.

The judge said that there was very little chance Turia would some day understand and address the reasons behind his offending.