A Moment In Crime

It is not a rare occurrence for teachers to be investigated or charged with sexual offending against the children and young people they are supposed to be educating, guiding and nurturing.    But some cases are significantly worse than other and in this episode of A Moment In Crime host Anna Leask recalls the three sex offending teachers who have caused New Zealand kids the most harm.  The cases of Jaime Cooney, Paul Herrick and James Robertson are among the wrost offenders - in terms of how the abuse played out, the number of victims and how long the offending was taking place.    And in all three cases, these predators could have been stopped much earlier.    There were glaring red flags and concerns were raised both formally and informally with police and other authorities.   But for various reasons these offenders remained free and able to continue violating and abusing innocent children.    In today’s episode of A Moment In Crime Leask outlines how the sexual predators were caught, how they were dealt with by the justice system and where they are now.  You will also hear from Parker - what he told the Parole Board in 2024 about his disgusting offending. This episode of A Moment In Crime tells the story of significant sexual offending and abuse and is intended for a mature audience. See below information on where to get help or advice. READ MORE: Blenheim sex abuse teacher: Anatomy of a scandal Predator principal's career of sex crimes and silencing Kaitāia’s paedophile teacher James Parker refused parole DO YOU NEED HELP?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 334Text 4334Email [email protected] more information visit safetotalk.nz If you have been sexually assaulted, remember it's not your fault.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the second in a two-part episode.  In 2023 South African doctor Lauren Anne Dickason was found guilty of murdering her daughters Liane, 6, and 2-year-old twins Maya and Karla at their Timaru home. She and her husband Graham - an ortopaedic surgeon - had emigrated to New Zealand just weeks earlier seeking a better, safer life for their young children.  Dickason killed the little girls 20 minutes after her husband left for a work function. He found the siblings dead in their beds when he arrived home.  Dickason admitted smothering the children but claimed she was so mentally unwell she could not be held criminally responsible for their deaths. After an exhaustive five-week trial last year, a jury rejected her defence of insanity or infanticide and convicted the woman of murder. In this episode of A Moment In Crime senior journalist Anna Leask looks back at the murders and the aftermath. Leask covered the story from the day the girls died, attending every day of Dickasons high profile trial and her later sentencing.  The Dickason Family Tragedy is told in two parts. In part one Leask explained the family's background and what brought them to New Zealand, as well as what happened that awful day in 2021.  In this episode Leask focuses on Dickason's trial - what the jury heard, the verdict, sentencing and what it was like inside the courtroom at pivotal moments.  The double episode contains descriptions of the Dickason children's deaths and also refer to mental health, self harm, pregnancy loss and fertility issues. Both parts of A Moment In Crime - The Dickason Family Tragedy are intended for mature audiences. To read Leask's full coverage of the case click here.  To read Justice Cameron Mander's full sentencing remarks via the Ministry of Justice website, click here. DO YOU NEED HELP OR ADVICE? • Lifeline: Call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7)• Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)• Depression helpline: Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7)• Helpline: Need to talk? Call or text 1737 If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2023 South African doctor Lauren Anne Dickason was found guilty of murdering her daughters Liane, 6, and 2-year-old twins Maya and Karla at their Timaru home. She and her husband Graham - an ortopaedic surgeon - had emigrated to New Zealand just weeks earlier seeking a better, safer life for their young children.  Dickason killed the little girls 20 minutes after her husband left for a work function. He found the siblings dead in their beds when he arrived home.  Dickason admitted smothering the children but claimed she was so mentally unwell she could not be held criminally responsible for their deaths. After an exhaustive five-week trial last year, a jury rejected her defence of insanity or infanticide and convicted the woman of murder. In this episode of A Moment In Crime senior journalist Anna Leask looks back at the murders and the aftermath. Leask covered the story from the day the girls died, attending every day of Dickasons high profile trial and her later sentencing.  The Dickason Family Tragedy is told in two parts. In part one Leask goes into the family's background and what brought them to New Zealand, as well as what happened that awful day in 2021.  Part two will focus on Dickason's trial, sentencing and what it was like inside the courtroom at pivotal moments. It will be release a week after part one.  The double episode contains descriptions of the Dickason children's deaths and also refer to mental health, self harm, pregnancy loss and fertility issues. Both parts of A Moment In Crime - The Dickason Family Tragedy are intended for mature audiences. To read Leask's full coverage of the case click here.  DO YOU NEED HELP OR ADVICE? • Lifeline: Call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7)• Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)• Depression helpline: Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7)• Helpline: Need to talk? Call or text 1737 If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Easter Monday 2021, Paulina Hanna was found dead at the Remuera home she shared with her husband of 30 years, Philip Polkinghorne. For 16 months, her death was treated as “unexplained”. That’s until it emerged Polkinghorne had been charged with murder. He pleaded not guilty in August 2022. From the team behind The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald's daily news podcast, comes Accused: The Polkinghorne Trial. Listen to Accused: The Polkinghorne Trial on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, or in The Front Page podcast feed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.