A Gisborne rapist's refusal to acknowledge his guilt, as well as the insistence of his innocence by his friends and family has seen him again denied parole.
Kurt John Owen, 21, appeared before the Parole Board last month after serving four years of his six-year sentence for rape and sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection.
He raped his victim at a Gisborne motel in 2005, when he was 17.
Releasing its decision today, the board said while Owen had behaved well in prison, he still maintained his innocence.
The board was also concerned about the attitude of his supporters.
"...Generally we see the nuclear and wider family as being so balanced towards unwaivering support for Mr Owen that their recognition that he has committed a serious offence that he still fails to acknowledge and remains untreated for, is less objective and critical of him than it might be."
The board was also concerned Owen would fall back into a strong party lifestyle, should he be released.
The board declined his parole for the second time in five months.
