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WARNING: This article discusses sexual assault and may be upsetting to some readers.

A 65-year-old with back-to-back convictions for sexual offending was released into the community after 33 years, only to go on and indecently assault a young autistic man.

Mark Williams, who was sentenced to preventive detention in the 80s for a violent rape, has now been sent back to prison with a judge commenting his chances of rehabilitation are slim.

Williams appeared for sentencing in the Whangārei District Court on Thursday on one charge of indecent assault of a male and one charge of burglary.

The court heard  had a significant history of sexual violence, which datedback 40 years.

In 1980 he was convicted ofand the following year was sent to prison for offensive behaviour.

Then, in 1982, he was jailed for three years and six months for . In 1985 he committed another violent rape in Auckland that landed him a lifelong term of preventive detention.

After 33 years in custody, Williams was released in 2018 to a supported living facility in Whangārei.

Things had reportedly been going well, but in December 2023 Williams covered his face with a white balaclava and entered the home of a young autistic man.

He then locked the door behind him.

The young man was on his phone with noise-cancelling headphones and did not hear Williams enter and on seeing him became frightened.

He yelled at him to get out of his room but instead, Williams demanded oral sex.

The victim said no and told him to leave but Williams responded by touching the young man inappropriately.

Before he left, he threatened the victim to “keep quiet, otherwise there will be trouble”.

When Williams was charged in 2024 for the latest offending, he pleaded not guilty and elected a trial by jury. But, one month before the trial was due to start this year, he accepted the charge.

Defence lawyer Jenna Johnson Aufa’i told the court her client should get a discount for an early guilty plea, however, Crown lawyer Pablo Hamber challenged this.

“By the time we’re at a month before, we’ve been prepping the victim to come into court,” Hamber submitted.

“He’s had to go through his court education and sit there and picture what that would be like to give evidence. So while he may not have had to play the game on Saturday, he’s done all of the trainings leading up to it.”

Judge Gus Andree Wiltens said Williams’ significant history needed to be taken into account and the impact on the victim who had been adversely affected.

“I have to have regard for the possibility of rehabilitation, which in this situation, appears rather slim,” the judge said.

Judge Andree Wiltens sentenced Williams to 35 months’ imprisonment and he will be required to go back before the Parole Board for release.

MALE SEXUAL ABUSE SURVIVORS

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 on 0800 044 334 or text 4334. (available 24/7) 
•  offers a range of confidential support at centres across New Zealand -  
• : 0800 94 22 94 (available 11am-8pm)
• Alternatively contact your local police station - If you have been abused, remember it's not your fault.

Shannon Pitman is a Whangārei-based reporter for Open Justice covering courts in the Te Tai Tokerau region. She is of Ngāpuhi/ Ngāti Pūkenga descent and has worked in digital media for the past five years. She joined ��һ�ǿ����� in 2023.