Police have recognised the bravery of the victims of a former Wellington teacher turned Christchurch busker jailed for 20 years for sexually abusing students and runaway teenage boys.
Graeme Andrew Joblin, 56, was sentenced in Christchurch District Court yesterday, after a jury earlier found him guilty on 25 charges relating to 10 victims, two in Wellington from 1978-81, and eight in Christchurch.
Judge Jane Farish described his offending as depraved in the extreme.
Police say they are pleased with the 20-year prison sentence, which follows a four-year investigation.
Detective Warwick Holmes said the bravery of the victims was the most significant factor in securing Joblin's conviction.
"For those victims to confront what occurred to them and remain strong throughout the prolonged investigation was courageous.
"We hope that this result will enable all victims to move forward in their lives in a positive way," he said.
"Joblin's predatory tactics of targeting vulnerable youths has severely impacted many lives and his offending has adversely affected the social tapestry of Christchurch."
The victims were aged from 13 to 17 years at the time.
One victim told of being befriended by Joblin and offered a place to stay while he was a vulnerable teenage runaway.
He was plied with cannabis and alcohol and felt obliged to provide sexual favours in order to stay there. After refusing these favours, Joblin had raped him.
Another told of being sexually abused by Joblin when he was a pupil at a Wellington school while Joblin was a teacher from the late 1970s to 1981.
Joblin is not eligible to be considered for parole until he has served nine years behind bars.
NZN