A man convicted of attempted murder over a "frenzied" attack in a Wanaka shop has been declined parole for a second time.
Ahu Stanley Taylor (45) was jailed for 10 years eight months following the May 2015 assault on Kahu Vincent, which took place at a Night ’n Day convenience store.
The victim was in an induced coma for 12 days with significant swelling and bleeding to the brain, followed by three weeks in the hospital’s critical care unit with traumatic brain injury and related complications.
The effects continued for years after the incident. Mr Vincent suffered fatigue and social anxiety.
Taylor came before the Parole Board for the first time in May 2020, but was declined release until he understood the reasons behind his behaviour.
In a parole board decision dated December 7 this year, panel convener Mary More said the board had again denied Taylor parole because he still presented too big a risk to the community.
Taylor’s behaviour in prison, the report said, was mostly positive. He kept to himself, was compliant and was doing tertiary study. However, when the board saw Taylor on November 10 this year, he was declined release and his hearing rescheduled because the board wanted another psychological assessment.
A subsequent private psychological assessment provided a differing opinion of risk to one done by a Corrections departmental psychologist.
The latter recommended Taylor would benefit from a group rehabilitation programme, while the former said his personality was not suitable for that.
Ms More said the board panel had subsequently had a long conversation with Taylor, who said he did not know why he did it or why he did not stop attacking Vincent, but said alcohol at the time was an issue.
The psychologists agreed Taylor needed further treatment.
The board asked the experts to confer and agree on what sort of rehabilitation Taylor required, and a way forward that would make him safe on release.
It would see Taylor again in April.
