Summarised by Centrist
Former ACT Party president Timothy Jago, jailed for sexually abusing two teenage boys in the 1990s, has been denied parole.
He admitted the jury had reached a verdict he would “live with,” though he maintained “it’s not my recollection of events.”
Jago, 59, was sentenced in November to two-and-a-half years’ imprisonment for indecently assaulting a teenage boy and a male over 16.
Jurors heard he used his position at a sports club to ply the boys with alcohol before abusing them, sometimes in his own home.
Appearing before the Parole Board on Tuesday, Jago said: “I’ve got to live with a label and perhaps a target … but I can be a contributing member of society.”
Board member Dr Julia Ioane asked if he was being “tricky” in refusing to accept responsibility directly. “I know that’s trite and splitting hairs,” Jago replied.
Judge David Sharp, in sentencing last year, described Jago’s crimes as a “gross breach of trust,” though noted his prior community service. The judge ordered him to pay emotional harm reparations of $1500 to each survivor.
Jago has appealed his convictions and sentence to the Court of Appeal. A third complainant has since made a formal complaint of indecent assault from the same period.
Parole was declined, with the Board saying Jago must confront his offending more directly with his support group. He will be reconsidered in December.
