Human rights job for fraud-case judge

Robert Hesketh, a former district court judge who was convicted and fined $8000 after pleading guilty to fraud charges in 1997, has been appointed director of human rights proceedings in the Human Rights Commission.

The Associate Minister of Justice, Margaret Wilson, announced the appointment yesterday, saying Mr Hesketh, even in the midst of his troubles, had acted with integrity.

"The Government feels it is important people like Mr Hesketh are allowed to get on with their lives and make their positive contribution to the community," she said.

Mr Hesketh will take up the appointment in June.

He will ensure complainants taking cases under the Human Rights Act are adequately represented.

Mr Hesketh, 44, resigned as a circuit judge in Northland after deciding to plead guilty in January 1997 to eight fraud charges relating to travel expense claims totalling $815.

He was struck off the roll of barristers and solicitors.

A fellow district court judge, Martin Beattie, pleaded not guilty to 45 similar fraud charges relating to travel expenses totalling $10,000 and was acquitted in August, 1997.

He was transferred to sit on the Accident Compensation Appeal Authority.

Mr Hesketh was re-admitted to the roll in May 1999. The Law Practitioners' Disciplinary Tribunal noted he was a person of "real integrity, probity and trustworthiness".

The president of the Auckland District Law Society, Chris Darlow, said yesterday that Mr Hesketh's decision to plead guilty was respected by members of the profession.

There was speculation that had he chosen to defend the charges he might have been acquitted.

"He chose to fall on his sword and the rest is history," said Mr Darlow.

Auckland lawyer Royden Hindle has been appointed to a five-year term as chairman of the Human Rights Review Tribunal.

Robyn Hunt and Joy Liddicoat, both of Wellington, and Dr Merimeri Penfold of Auckland have been appointed Human Rights Commissioners.

Warren Lindberg and Michael Powles have been reappointed.