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Offender Databases John Dutton

John Philip Dutton

Alias

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Offences

Injured a Ngaio, Wellington woman intentionally causing grievous bodily harm in a home invasion in July 2005
Also common assault (originally aggravated assault) on a second neighbour trying to stop him
Had two prior driving convictions and one for breaking and entering from when he was 13

Victims

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Offender Affiliations

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Gang affiliations

none known

Age

Born 1951

Current Location

unknown

Parole/Release Dates

Sentenced to just five years in July 2006
Parole declined April 2009
Had last known hearing April 2010

Background
From the Dominion Post 22 July 2006
A MAN who put a noose around his neighbour's neck after breaking into her home has been jailed. John Philip Dutton, 55, unemployed, of Ngaio, Wellington, was found guilty of injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to Raewyn Corlett, aggravated burglary and assault on another neighbour, Janet King, who tried to stop him. He was acquitted of the attempted murder of Ms Corlett. In the High Court in Wellington yesterday Justice Forrie Miller jailed him for five years, saying Dutton had diminished culpability because of his deteriorating mental condition.

Dutton went to Ms Corlett's home in August last year carrying a rope tied in a noose and several knives. He attacked her in her bedroom while she was on the phone and tried to tie her hands. He then put the rope around her neck. During the attack Ms King arrived to help Ms Corlett but left to call police after Dutton hit her. Ms Corlett fought back but Dutton did not stop, even when two police officers used pepper spray and batons. He had to be dragged off his victim. Several days earlier Ms Corlett had spoken to police about Dutton after he damaged her fence and seemed violent.

Justice Miller said Ms Corlett had always tried to help Dutton, her neighbour for several years. "She did nothing whatever to provoke you," he told Dutton. The judge said it was a prolonged and violent struggle. Ms Corlett was haunted by it, needed time off work and now had cash worries. Justice Miller said Dutton had had mental health problems since 1978. He had been unable to work for 20 years and at the time of the attack was mixing alcohol with drugs. Defence lawyer Greg King said Dutton had said he did it as a cry for help about his deteriorating ability to cope with his mental problems. Crown prosecutor Ken Stone asked for a minimum non-parole period of two-thirds but the judge declined.

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Corrections and Additional Information
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