Sentence for sex offender slammed

The sentence handed down to a convicted sex offender has been slammed by Sensible Sentencing Trust.

The sentence handed down to a Hastings man for a series of sexual assaults on an intellectually disabled woman has been slammed by the Sensible Sentencing Trust.

Douglas McInnes was found guilty of four charges of sexual offending against a person with significant impairment, and sentenced to a minimum non-parole period of five years when a non-parole period of 10 years was available.

Sensible Sentencing Trust spokesperson Scott Guthrie said the sentencing of the 63-year-old was a "total disregard of the law".

The court was told that McInnes had a long history of sexual offending dating back to 1969. His last offence was committed in 2002 against a 12-year-old girl and saw a six-year prison term imposed.

When his recent offending occurred, McInnes was subject to a court-imposed extensive supervision order and electronic bail.

The victim, in her mid-20s, had suffered a severe brain injury in an accident. She was forced to sign a contract obliging her to perform sexual acts on McInnes. In return he would give her "points" based on how well she performed.

He told her the contract was a "secret deal for life".

His offending began after Queen's Birthday weekend in June 2012.

After the victim was questioned about her relationship with McInnes by her church pastor, she told him what was happening. The pastor immediately informed the police.

Mr Guthrie said all judges should start exercising the powers available to them when sentencing, and should stop considering the wants or needs of high-profile offenders. "Start considering what the public of New Zealand might consider as an acceptable sentence," said Mr Guthrie.

"Society as a whole has had enough of pandering to the criminals."