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Offender Databases Robert McCorkindale

Robert John McCorkindale

Alias

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Offences

Indecent assault of two Otago girls aged 4 and 6 on 5 occasions in 1997
Also other convictions for similar offending in 1987 and 1992

Victims

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Offender Affiliations

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Gang affiliations

none known

Age

Born 1955

Current Location

Timata Hou in Porirua

Parole/Release Dates

Sentenced to seven years in May 1999
Release expected January 2004

Background
Background from Otago Daily Times May 1999
Robert John McCorkindale, unemployed, had admitted indecently assaulting the girls, aged 4 and 6, on five occasions, in the family's home and in a playground. Because of previous similar offences for which he had been jailed in 1987 and 1992, McCorkindale was eligible for the indefinite prison sentence of preventive detention. But the judge decided not to exercise that option although, he told McCorkindale, any further similar offending would make such a penalty "almost inevitable".

A person of borderline intelligence with intellectual and social difficulties, McCorkindale was someone who had been dealt "a difficult hand by life", counsel Peter Rollo said. He was remorseful about what he had done, desperately wanted to be cured of his behaviour and was willing to take ongoing counselling and treatment, including medication which was effectively a chemical castration. He felt aggrieved because he had informed an organisation with which he was involved of his convictions and proclivities and he believed he had been put in a situation where the opportunity to offend would not have presented itself had he been more closely supervised. It was accepted this was the reasoning of a man "clutching at straws" because he was facing preventive detention, Mr Rollo said.

The court should stop short of the indefinite sentence of preventive detention and impose a finite jail term which would allow a treatment programme to be initiated, he said. Crown counsel Robin Bates said the court had to consider preventive detention. The youthfulness of the complainant made the offending particularly pernicious. McCorkindale's rehabilitation had been poor, he appeared not to accept responsibility for his actions and there was no clear indication of remorse. The prospect of rehabilitation was poor for a man with McCorkindale's predilections who was clearly likely to re-offend, Mr Bates said. Justice Chisholm said it was plain the from the probation officer's report that McCorkindale acknowledged he was attracted to young girls.

It was also apparent he had only limited understanding of the trauma and suffering of his victims. The officer had assessed him at high risk of re-offending if returned to the community without 24-hour supervision. The Kia Marama programme was designed to help offenders to help themselves, the judge said. And it was of concern McCorkindale at times chose not to implement the strategies the programme had put in place so he could avoid re-offending if in a situation where he knew he was likely to offend. "Somehow or other, it has to be driven home to you this sort of conduct is not acceptable," Justice Chisholm said, sentencing McCorkindale to seven years' jail. He declined to make a final suppression order.

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Corrections and Additional Information
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