A serial sex offender already serving a lengthy prison sentence for sexual crimes against children and young people has been sentenced to an additional six years' imprisonment, bringing his total time behind bars to 22 years.
By elocal News Desk
The sentence was handed down in the High Court at Whanganui after Shannan Taylor was convicted of multiple serious sexual offences involving two women.
The court heard that Taylor's offending formed part of a long pattern of sexual violence stretching back decades.
Assaults Described In Court
Justice Christine Grice told the court that Taylor repeatedly raped one of the victims over an extended period.
The final assault occurred only days after the woman had given birth.
The court heard Taylor visited while the woman was recovering in bed after feeding her newborn child.
When she resisted his advances, Taylor pinned her down before raping her despite her repeated objections and concerns for her baby, who was lying beside her.
The victim later suffered significant physical complications and required medical treatment.
Less than two weeks earlier, Taylor had raped another woman after she allowed him to stay overnight at her home.
Justice Grice said the woman had only fragmented memories of the evening, but the jury accepted evidence that Taylor had raped her.
Photo: Supplied / Ministry of Justice
Victims Describe Lasting Trauma
Both women provided victim impact statements describing the profound effects the offending had on their lives.
One victim told the court:
"What you did did not end on the day of the offending. The effects of it continue to follow me every single day."
She said she now lives with post-traumatic stress disorder and severe social anxiety, affecting her ability to sleep, work and carry out everyday activities.
The second victim described herself as once being confident, independent and joyful.
"After the rape, that version of me disappeared," she told the court.
She said the trauma severely impacted her mental health, relationships and daily life.
Long History Of Sexual Offending
At the time of the offending against the two women, Taylor was already facing prosecution for multiple sexual offences involving several other victims.
Those earlier offences resulted in a 16-year prison sentence on more than 20 charges.
Justice Grice described Taylor's history as demonstrating a "serious and persistent pattern of sexual offending" dating back to when he was 21 years old.
The judge said the offending involved both physical and psychological coercion and caused significant and enduring harm to victims.
Justice Christine Grice says Shannan Joseph Taylor's history shows a "serious and persistent pattern of sexual offending". Photo: NZ Herald / Bevan Conley
Rehabilitation Still Considered Possible
The Crown sought preventive detention, arguing Taylor remained a serious risk to the public.
However, Justice Grice declined to impose an indefinite sentence.
While accepting that Taylor currently posed a risk of serious reoffending, the judge concluded that his rehabilitation opportunities had not yet been exhausted.
"It has barely started. You are at the beginning of the process of pursuing rehabilitation," Justice Grice said.
"As long as you engage, genuinely and without ulterior motive, in the programmes that may be offered to you, the risk you pose to women and girls is likely to reduce."
Combined Sentence Reaches 22 Years
Justice Grice initially arrived at a sentence of 11 years and three months for the latest offences.
After considering the totality of Taylor's existing sentence, she reduced the additional term to six years, to be served cumulatively.
The result is a combined prison sentence of 22 years.
Taylor will become eligible for parole after serving one-third of the combined sentence, although any release decision will ultimately rest with the Parole Board.
The judge noted that Taylor had shown little genuine insight into the harm caused to victims and that psychological assessments found no evidence of meaningful remorse.
Support Services
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, support is available through:
- Safe to Talk: 0800 044 334
- Rape Crisis: 0800 88 33 00
- NZ Police
- Tautoko Tāne Male Survivors Aotearoa
- HELP Auckland and Wellington
- Empowerment Trust
If there is an immediate risk to safety, call 111.
Source: Open Justice / New Zealand Herald via RNZ.