Laurie Kirimate Pine

Background

Background
From Waikato Times story 3rd June 2010
A Waikato man jailed for sex offending spanning 25 years might still be a risk to children when released, a judge says. Laurie Kirimate Pine, 68, was sentenced yesterday in the Hamilton District Court to 14 years' jail after earlier pleading guilty to 39 sex offences against six young victims. Judge Robert Spear said Pine's crimes had shocked those dealing with his case and he questioned how one man could commit such "horrors" so regularly and over such an extensive period.

Certain people would have known about Pine's predatory behaviour to a degree, Judge Spear said, but tragically "no-one was prepared to do anything about it". In 1981 Pine was jailed for sexual offending against a young girl. He later went on to abuse more children. Pine would groom his victims with sweets and gifts, convincing them his paedophilia was normal. On two occasions he used violence to gain his victim's compliance, the court heard.

Pine's offending would only stop when the victim reached their early teens, and they no longer fascinated him and were able to resist his advances. Judge Spear said the public's safety required a minimum non- parole period of seven years but he expressed concern Pine might still pose a risk when released. Judge Spear said Pine's claim that he too was sexually abused should have convinced him not to visit the abuse on others. His recent expressions of remorse had come "simply too late".