WARNING: This story discusses intended sexual offending against a child.

Two days after he was released from prison for abducting a toddler with the intent to rape her, John Tekuru was found at a playground, school and kindergarten.

Tekuru, 20, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment in January for snatching a toddler from a Rotorua daycare in March last year.

After serving half of his sentence, he was released in March this year and was subject to electronic monitoring.

That data went on to find him in breach of his prison release conditions, namely that he not loiter or enter a place where people under 16 are gathered.

It showed that two days after his release in March, Tekuru went to a playground.

He confirmed with Corrections that he had entered the park, where the playground was, and a warning was issued.

A couple of days later, he was detected at a high school around 8am, which shares an entranceway with an early childhood education centre.

Around the same time, he also went to another early childhood centre in the area.

He was then taken into custody on March 17.

Today, he appeared via audio-visual link in the Manukau District Court, where he pleaded guilty to the breach and was sentenced.

His lawyer, Gaye Gurnick, raised her client’s manner with Judge Jonathan Moses.

“You must excuse Mr Tekuru, sir. He does have an awkward smile,” she said.

John Tekuru at his sentencing in the Rotorua District Court for abducting the toddler. Photo / Kelly Makiha

Gurnick assured the judge that she had “laboured” over the seriousness of the release conditions with him.

In sentencing Tekuru, Judge Moses considered the length of time he had been remanded in custody and his youth.

The abduction was his only previous conviction, the judge noted.

He sentenced Tekuru to one month in prison.

The judge ordered no new release conditions other than those from the previous release.

Those conditions were:

• That he be electronically monitored;
• Live at an approved address;
• Not be in contact with people under 16 unless supervised by an approved informed adult and it was authorised in writing;
• Not to enter areas where children are likely to be present, including playgrounds and schools, without written
• approval;
• Not to contact the victim;
• To undergo psychological assessment and treatment;
• Undergo alcohol and drug treatment;
• Not to use alcohol or non‑prescribed drugs; and
• Not to enter Rotorua without written approval.

The court heard today that Corrections were ready to transport Tekuru to an address suitable for living, subject to the conditions upon release.

The abduction

At his sentencing in Rotorua District Court in January, it was revealed that Tekuru suffered from schizophrenia.

On the day he took the girl, he had been smoking cannabis, was off his medication and claimed to have voices in his head telling him what to do.

The name of the Rotorua daycare she attended has been permanently suppressed to protect her identity.

Tekuru loitered outside the centre’s grounds for more than an hour. He twice scaled a 2m-high fence and entered the grounds undetected, taking the girl the second time.

Tekuru carried her towards his home but let her go when she cried hysterically. She ran back to the centre.

He had her in his possession for about three to four minutes.

When police later found Tekuru, he told them he had intended to rape her.

At Tekuru’s earlier sentencing, the girl’s parents were visibly distraught.

The mother’s victim impact statement said: “It makes me sick to my stomach that this man had the motive and intentions to sexually harm my 3-year-old daughter.”

SEXUAL HARM

Where to get help:
If it's an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7:
• Call 0800 044 334
• Text 4334
• Email [email protected]
• For more info or to web chat visit safetotalk.nz
Alternatively contact your local police station - click here for a list.
If you have been sexually assaulted, remember it's not your fault.

Ella Scott-Fleming has been a journalist for three years and previously worked at the Otago Daily Times, Gore Ensign and Metro Magazine. She has an interest in court and general reporting. She’s currently based in Auckland covering justice related stories.