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Offender Databases Gregory Purdy

Gregory James Purdy

Alias

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Offences

Indecent assault on two teenage Nelson girls in 2004

Victims

.

Offender Affiliations

.

Gang affiliations

none known

Age

Born 1964

Current Location

unknown

Parole/Release Dates

Sentenced to 6 months in December 2004
Released March 2005

Background
From the Nelson Mail Dec 3, 2004
A Nelson tattooist jailed on sex charges had an "unsure grasp'' of what ethical behaviour meant in his profession, a judge has said. Gregory James Purdy, 40, was sentenced in the Nelson District Court after being found guilty by a jury of two charges of indecent assault. Judge David McKegg said the female victims, aged 16 and 17, went to Purdy to be tattooed. During their tattooing sessions, Purdy began talking about sexual matters before assaulting them. The court heard that he placed his hands on one victim's hips and pulled her back against his erect penis.

The other teenager said Purdy leaned forward and placed his hands on her breasts. "It seems to me, Mr Purdy, after hearing the facts and reading your probation report, that you have a very unsure grasp of what ought to be ethical behaviour in your occupation,'' Judge McKegg said. The probation officer had reported continued denial of the offending and "what almost seems like an acceptance of the use of sexual banter as part of your occupational system''. Purdy could only be assessed as having very low motivation to address his offending, and showed no empathy for the victims at all, Judge McKegg said.

Defence counsel Brett Daniell-Smith said today Purdy had maintained his innocence "from day one'', and claimed that if there was any touching, it was accidental. Once released from jail, he intended to continue tattooing but would install a surveillance system so everything could be recorded in future, Mr Daniell-Smith said. In sentencing, Judge McKegg said it had been stated that Purdy showed compassion to young children overseas by making regular contributions to them. He sentenced Purdy to six months in prison, and denied him leave to apply for home detention.

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Corrections and Additional Information
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