A Mosgiel man who raped his pregnant partner has again been refused parole because he has not yet seen a psychologist.
The man — who has permanent name suppression — was jailed for five years and four months in 2018 after being found guilty of rape, assault with intent to commit rape and injuring with intent to injure following a Dunedin District Court jury trial.
The Parole Board this month heard the Otago Corrections Facility prisoner had been removed from drug rehabilitation and a sex-offender programme for similar reasons.
"He appeared to have an intellectual understanding of session content, but had difficulties internalising and learning and applying the material to his own thinking and behaviour. He also had difficulties responding to feedback from others," panel convener Neville Trendle said.
The rapist would likely see a psychologist within a couple of months, the board was advised.
"The board regards that engagement as essential before we could be satisfied that [his] release would not pose an undue risk to others," Mr Trendle said.
The court at trial heard the defendant returned home from work on November 12, 2016, having drunk 28 cans of pre-mixed bourbon and cola.
Despite vomiting due to morning sickness, his partner gave in to his demands for sex.
However, she desperately attempted to stop him once his conduct became violent.
The defendant later forced himself on the victim again, prompting her to lash out and kick at him. He responded by punching her in the jaw and nose, causing bleeding.
While she was in the bathroom cleaning herself up, she called police who arrested the defendant when he immediately admitted striking her.
Unprompted, the man told officers on the way to the station: "I didn’t rape her."
The prisoner had "very limited support" in the Otago region, the board heard, and no safety plan on which to rely.
There was the offer of support accommodation on release but Mr Trendle said that would not happen until the sex offender had put in the work with the psychologist.
He will see the board again in August.
