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James Parker is headed for prison.
A Pamapuria school teacher loved by the community
for his work teaching kapa haka
and for taking care of their children
has been revealed,
as have his indiscretions with some of their sons.
Although the judge has given his verdict,
sending James Parker to prison for preventive detention
for a minimum of seven years,
and he must prove that he can be rehabilitated
or remain in prison indefinitely.
But how are his victims faring?
A statement from one of the victims.
James Parker began sexually assaulting this boy in 2008.
The law hides his identity,
but he refuses to hide what Parker did.
And Parker can't hide either.
The families and the community are clearly distraught
after having to choose between the teacher and his pupils.
This mother was inconsolable.
Before the assaults occurred,
the student loved going to school, to play and do kapa haka,
but not anymore.
He's pleaded guilty to 74 sex charges
for the abuse of 20 of his male students
between 1999 and 2012.
The victim now hopes to wake up from this nightmare,
but this offender has made sure it will remain with him for life.
Tini Molyneux, Te Karere.