Extensive supervision for convicted sex offender Richard Miller

The High Court in Wellington has granted an extended supervision order for Napier man Richard Miller who raped and sexually abused four young girls between 1990 and 2008. Photo / File

A convicted sex offender who has never admitted his crimes will be supervised for the next eight years after he is freed from prison.

Yesterday the High Court in Wellington granted an extended supervision order (ESO) for Napier man Richard Miller, who raped and sexually abused four young girls between 1990 and 2008.

The 55-year-old was due to walk from prison today, having served his full sentence of nine years and nine months' imprisonment, but will instead have to comply with the ESO.

A Corrections spokesperson said Miller would be subject to a number of conditions for eight years starting today, as well as intensive monitoring for 12 months (the maximum period).

"Mr Miller cannot be lawfully held in prison for any longer. Public safety is our top priority and the order will enable us to monitor and manage the long-term high risk Mr Miller presents to the safety of the community."

Miller was found guilty of committing an indecent act on a 6-year-old in September 2008 after he was seen in a car with her by a Napier community patrol volunteer in Nelson Park.

The extent of his sexual offending was brought to light by that incident and resulted in the police reopening past claims of sexual abuse against Miller.

He had sexually abused several girls over the course of 18 years; raping one of them twice at the ages of 10 and 11 while he was her babysitter in 1990.

The Napier man earned an extra three months' imprisonment after making a shooting gesture to the public gallery where several of his victims stood at the end of his trial.

He was eligible for parole in April 2011 but did not appear for his latest parole; remaining adamant he intended to complete his full sentence.

Last seen by the Parole Board last November, Miller had undergone one-to-one psychological treatment spanning 14 sessions "on the basis that he hypothetically offended".

The board noted in its report that this was a "curious position" and stated that psychological opinion was to the effect that he was a "high-risk sexual offender".

Last month Miller's lawyer Matthew Phelps argued against the length of the order and intensive monitoring conditions, saying they weren't necessary.

However, a Department of Corrections psychologist said Miller had a high chance of reoffending.

"For offenders with the same score [of risk factors] as Mr Miller, their sexual recidivism rate over 10 years was in excess of 50 per cent, so 51.8 per cent."

The Corrections spokesperson said Mr Miller's conditions were extensive and took into consideration the seriousness of his past offending.

The ESO is made up of 13 standard conditions imposed by the court, with tailored special conditions that Mr Miller must comply with while he lives at an address on prison property. The spokesperson confirmed he would not be living in Hawke's Bay.

The intensive monitoring condition would require Miller to be accompanied and monitored, for up to 24 hours a day, by a contracted provider.

"Mr Miller's compliance with the conditions will be closely managed by a team of experienced probation staff and non-compliance will be addressed promptly," the spokesperson said.

One of Miller's victims, who cannot be named, said she was pleased to hear about the extended supervision order.

"I'm a bit gutted that he's getting out but I'm glad he has to be under supervision for the next eight years. I think that's fantastic."

She said she felt safer knowing he would be subject to an extended supervision order on his release.

The maximum penalty for a breach of ESO is two years imprisonment.