Lower Hutt Mayor Ken Laban says the violent sexual assault of a 10-year-old boy at a popular local playground “has no place in our community”.

The traumatic incident happened at the end of last year at Avalon Park in the Hutt Valley.

The alleged offender followed the victim into the park’s public toilets on December 28, where he threatened him with a cold object to his neck, before robbing, sexually assaulting and raping the boy, according to court documents of the case.

The defendant was in Oranga Tamariki care at the time, with the agency saying it was limited in its powers to physically detain the youth, and he was not under a detention order at the time.

It has led to the Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad to raise the case with Oranga Tamariki.

Laban said his thoughts are with the victim and his whānau, and said the community “must work together to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our people, young and old”.

He said his council is committed to community safety and will continue to assess and take action to address high-risk environments.

Lower Hutt Mayor Ken Laban. Photo / Supplied.

A Hutt City Council spokesperson said CCTV was used by police in investigating this case, and the council has increased CCTV coverage of the park since the attack as part of the new Motutawa Skatepark facility.

In March this year, the defendant was found unfit to stand trial under the Criminal Procedure (Mentally Impaired Persons) Act, based on two mental health reports.

He is considered to have a high to very high risk of reoffending.

Judge Jan Kelly ordered in May that the defendant be detained in a secure facility under the Intellectual Disability (Compulsory Care and Rehabilitation) Act 2003 for three years. The act allows for his detention to be continually extended if, at the end of the three years, he is still considered a risk.

• 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 call the confidential crisis helpline Safe to Talk on 0800 044 334 or text 4334. (available 24/7)
• Male Survivors Aotearoa offers a range of confidential support at centres across New Zealand - find your closest one here.
• Men and Trauma New Zealand: 0800 636 263
• Alternatively contact your local police station - click here for a list.

If you have been abused, remember it’s not your fault.