An Auckland restaurateur jailed in 2003 for drugging and raping younger men is now out of prison and on home detention after admitting full responsibility for his actions. Philip Sturm got a nine year jail sentence after being convicted of six charges of sexual violation and stupefaction against four men aged in their 20's. The former bar owner started home detention at a friend's house last week, after a Parole Board found he had taken responsibility for his actions, despite previously not pleading guilty to - and unsuccessfully appealing against - the charges against him. The Sunday Star-Times reported the board's decision: "It was felt [previously] that Sturm did not appear to have any insight into his offending. However, he did admit to the fact that on previous occasions he had not accepted full responsibility for what happened. "On reflection, since the opportunity he has had in prison to reflect, he now accepts that he misread the signals given to him by the victims under the influence of drugs." During his time in prison, Sturm had been an exemplary inmate and had used his skills to assume a leadership role in kitchen duties. He did not pose an "undue risk" to the public, the decision stated. Sturm must not consume alcohol or other drugs while on home detention and must undertake counselling, the board said. He was also warned against making contact with his victims and told to reappear before the board in three months. Ref: Sunday Star-Times (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Wednesday, 24th October 2007 - 5:37pm