Parole Hearing
Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002
Trent Michael Francis ILTON
Hearing:
13 June 2024
at Rolleston Prison
Members of the Board:
Ms S Bailey – Panel Convenor
Ms F Pimm
Mr A Hackney
Counsel:
Mr Ben Shamy
In Attendance:
[withheld] - Case Manager
Support Persons:
[withheld] unde the
DECISION OF THE BOARD
1.
Trent Ilton appears for a further consideration of parole. Mr Ilton is serving a sentence of
seven years and one month imprisonment after convictions were entered after the
possession of methamphetamine for supply. The offending was part of a
methamphetamine operation through the Tribesmen Motorcycle Gang. Mr Ilton acted as
a “logistics organiser” and was trusted with significant amounts of money and
Released
methamphetamine. Mr Ilton handled the cash flow, organised cash transactions, at times
stored cash and methamphetamine, made travelling arrangements for others. It appears
that Mr Ilton himself was never a drug user and has not had issues with drug abuse in the
past.
2.
Mr Ilton has a varied offending history including many convictions for tax evasion and
fraud.
Official Information Act 1982
3.
Mr Ilton has a statutory release date of 30th June 2027 which is still three years away
although he has now served four years of his prison term. He has a RoC*RoI of 0.398.
4.
Mr Ilton has on his sentence plan the MIRP which was completed during August 2023
from which he wrote a safety plan and he has also completed his prison maintenance
sessions.
PO Box 939, Wellington
Telephone (04) 495 8400 / 0800 727 653
[New Zealand Parole Board request email] / www.paroleboard.govt.nz
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5.
Mr Ilton last appeared before the Board during June of 2023. At that time it was noted he
had just started the MIRP. He had not had any reintegration opportunities and had to
present a confirmed release proposal to a future Board. [withheld].
6.
Mr Ilton has his lawyer, Mr Shamy, appear for him today. Mr Shamy had forwarded written
submissions to the Board supporting Mr Ilton’s release. Today Mr Shamy reminded the
Board that Mr Ilton was serving a very significant prison term and he had only been in a
prison previously for a very brief time. Mr Shamy noted that Mr Ilton had made the most
of educational opportunities and had completed some NCEA levels. Mr Shamy noted that
the MIRP had been completed and there are no further rehabilitation opportunities for him
while he remained in custody. [withheld]. Along with the conditions Mr Shamy submitted
Mr Ilton will not be an undue risk if released into the community at this time.
7.
Mr Ilton spoke with the Board today. [withheld].
8.
Mr Ilton was questioned about his previous tax evasion and fraud convictions and the
Board observed that he appeared to have a propensity for dealing with money in
inappropriate and illegal ways.
9.
Mr Ilton said he had gained a number of skills from the MIRP, the main one for him was
unde the
his form of communication. He said previously he was a passive communicator, found it
difficult to say no but had learnt to be assertive in a positive way. He also acknowledged
that it will be very important on release for him to set himself goals, to set boundaries and
is sure that he keeps within those boundaries.
10.
[withheld].
11.
[withheld].
Released
12.
His case manager confirmed there is no available release to work available at the present
time. She told the Board that he had been accepted for an interview however that offer
had been revoked and nothing more was in the pipeline. His PCO gave him an excellent
report and described him as a role model prisoner.
13.
Mr Ilton will be released on parole. His release date is 26th June 2024. The Board are
satisfied that he no longer remains an undue risk in consideration of the work he has done
Official Information Act 1982
within the prison, his presentation and responses to the Board today, submissions made
by his lawyer and the conditions which are to be imposed.
14.
Those conditions, along with standard conditions, as outlined in the PAR will remain apply
until his statutory release date. There will be a monitoring hearing for Mr Ilton in January
2025. This is because it is considered Mr Ilton is going to face significant challenges once
in the community and it will be useful for the Board to know how he has handled those
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matters which could potentially include being approached again by gang members.
Further he still has three years remaining on his sentence.
15.
The Special Conditions are:
(1)
To reside at [Canterbury Region] or any other address approved in writing by a
Probation Officer, and not move from that address unless you have the prior written
approval of a Probation Officer.
(2)
In January 2025 to comply with any direction made under section 298(2)(b) of the
Parole Act 2002 to attend a hearing at a time and place to be notified to you.
(3)
To attend an assessment for a departmental programme/maintenance group, and
attend, participate in and adhere to the rules of the programme/maintenance group
as directed by a Probation Officer.
(4)
To obtain the written approval of a Probation Officer before starting or changing
your position and/or place of employment (including voluntary and unpaid work).
To notify a Probation Officer if you leave your position of employment.
(5)
Not to be involved in the handling of money, provision of advice or management of
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the financial accounts or transactions, of any person or entity, unless you have the
prior written approval of a Probation Officer.
(6)
Not to possess, use, or consume alcohol, controlled drugs or psychoactive
substances except controlled drugs prescribed for you by a health professional.
(7)
Not to communicate or associate with your co-offenders [withheld] and [withheld]
directly or indirectly unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation
Officer.
Released
(8)
Not to communicate or associate, directly or indirectly, with any person known to
you to associate with the Tribesman Gang unless you have the prior written
approval of a Probation Officer.
Please note: you may be required to undergo a drug or alcohol test and or submit to drug or
alcohol monitoring.
Official Information Act 1982
S Bailey
Panel Convenor
