New law passed in Parliament will apply to former teacher & convicted sex offender Clayton Busto

A new law introduced in Parliament last week will apply to former teacher and scout leader Clayton Busto.

Busto, who was found guilty of 16 charges of sexual offences against children, is expected to be sentenced next month.

The new law, introduced by Justice Minister, Nigel Feetham, amends the Prison Act so that a prisoner serving more than 12 months for an offence on specified sexual offences will have to serve at least three-quarters of their sentence before being eligible to be considered for parole.  Release will not be automatic but subject to a stricter public protection test.

The new law also introduces tougher bail provisions for those convicted but-not-yet-sentenced for specified sexual offences.

A future case involving circumstances similar to Busto's would therefore face a significantly more restrictive bail regime, as Nigel Feetham explained in Parliament.