Jail term increased after sex abuser failed to pay reparation to victims

The court-ordered payment deadline of May 26 was not met. Photo / File

A former Masterton man convicted of historic sex charges has had his jail term increased after failing to pay court-ordered reparation to his victims.

Raymond Bruce Buchanan,52, has now been sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment.

He had been sentenced to 12 years 6 months in the High Court at Rotorua by Justice Kit Toogood on February 26 on the proviso he paid $75,000 to each of his two victims to recognise the emotional harm and trauma he'd caused them.

The judge set May 26 as the payment deadline but was told by Crown prosecutor Heidi Wrigley yesterday the money had not materialised.

At the time Buchanan was originally sentenced Justice Toogood noted Buchanan was the principal beneficiary of the Raymond Buchanan investment trust worth $450,000.

"I was satisfied under the terms of the trust funds could be made available, but the trustees don't appear willing to provide funds to you for legal representation," he told Buchanan yesterday.

He noted Buchanan's former lawyer, Tony Balme, no longer acted for him but had assisted the court by explaining the situation to Buchanan who had not sought legal aid.

He repeated that Buchanan's offending against two boys, now grown men, was violent, traumatic and extended over a long period of time.

"It is not unreasonable your victims want compensation from you on account of your appalling behaviour," the judge told Buchanan at his re-sentencing.

Buchanan was found guilty by a jury last September of 13 charges of indecent assault on a boy, 2 of inducing an indecent act by a boy, 4 of sodomy, 1 of aggravated assault, 1 of injuring with intent to injure and 3 of sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection. A number of the charges were representative meaning they happened more than once.

At the original sentencing Justice Toogood said the charges were so historic he had no alternative but to impose a sentence allowed for by legislation at that time, which also prevented him imposing a minimum prison term.

The new 14-year sentence applies separately to the sodomy and sexual violation charges with each to be served concurrently.

One of Buchanan's victims was in the public gallery for the re-sentencing.

At the February hearing the judge offered the two men involved his deepest sympathy and congratulated them on their bravery in coming forward.