Jailed Gloriavale child sex offender loses battle to keep name secret

Sentenced to more than two years in prison, Gloriavale’s child sex offender lost a High Court battle to keep his name secret.

Joseph Hope, 43, was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison in June by Greymouth District Court for sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 12.

He pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault and three counts of lewd assault.

Hope appealed to the High Court against both his prison sentence and the order to uncover his name, but Judge Jonathan Eaton ruled his case after a hearing in Christchurch last month. was rejected.

Hope’s anger towards the girl became apparent during last year’s Oranga Tamariki judging process when she revealed that she had been assaulted in the West Coast Christian community.

During sentencing, the district court heard that Hope grabbed the girl in her bedroom and pushed her up and down as if simulating sex.

Judge Alistair Garland said Hope was holding her so tightly that the girl could not escape.

“The victim hated what you were doing. The action hurt her physically because you were hugging her tight around her waist. Your action made her feel terrible.” I did,” he said.

Judge Garland said the incident left the girl distressed, confused, and distrustful of other men in her community.

Hope also simulated sex with her while using the computer in his hostel room, and touched the girl while watching a movie with his wife and children in bed.

In a statement on the impact on victims, the girl said she had a panic attack if someone hugged her like Hope and avoided returning to the lodge because she was scared of him.

Hope, because of his unique name and media attention, was given a permanent name because publication would cause extreme hardship for himself, his family, and others in Gloriavale, including the victims. requested the suppression of

A second statement provided to the court through his father, stating that Hope’s crimes had little impact, in stark contrast to the first statement about the impact on the victim, and expressing a desire for forgiveness and name restraint it was done.

Judge Garland was concerned about whether victims were expressing their feelings without the influence of others.

Judge Eaton determined that Hope did not meet the required standards and concluded that other suppression orders provided adequate safeguards to protect the identities of the victims.

“I recognize the importance of the principle of open justice, especially when it comes to sex crimes against children and young people.

Judge Garland said Hope had already paid $2,600 to the girl and offered to pay a further $2,000 in restitution, but the King said the payment would eventually return to Gloriavale’s bank account in a “money-go-round.” I was worried about