A paedophile convicted for indecent assault and sharing child pornography while part of a paedophile ring has been awarded $35,000 in compensation by the Department of Corrections.
Joshua Mark Domican pleaded guilty to 24 charges of possessing objectionable images and videos, two of supplying such material and one charge of sexual connection with a 13-year-old.
He was jailed for three years and four-and-a-half months, but Corrections miscalculated his release date by not taking into account the time spent on remand.
He's one of 15 offenders who have received compensation. Others awarded money included Michael Marino, who was mistakenly detained for around four months extra after his conviction for domestic violence and attempting to pervert the course of justice. He took his case to court and as a result has received $50,000 compensation.
Altogether, former prisoners were awarded $342,057 last year. The top pay-out was to Gideon Wilson, who was awarded $108,000.
"In September 2016, the Supreme Court ruled that Corrections' method for calculating pre-sentence detention in particular circumstances was incorrect," Corrections' deputy national commissioner Andy Milne told Newshub.
"As a result of the Marino decision we have settled the claims of 15 offenders to date. Some of those offenders are identified on the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) website."
But before offenders get any of the money, their victims have the right to make a claim to it.
"Compensation is paid to MoJ in accordance with the Prisoners' and Victims' Claims Act 2005," Mr Milne says.
"The MoJ may then deduct any reparation, legal aid or money owed to victims under earlier orders before paying the balance into the victims' claims trust bank account."
The current list of offenders that have been awarded compensation is here.
Newshub.
