By Amanda Gillies
Kaitaia has been rocked by three high-profile paedophile cases in three weeks.
Today a high-profile local businessman appeared in court accused of offending against boys. Yesterday it was the town's former pastor who admitted to sex-related charges, and a local schoolteacher is about to be sentenced for the very same thing as well.
Businessman Daniel Taylor was the vice president of the Kaitaia Business Association and was heavily involved in the community. In court Taylor would neither face nor acknowledge the public gallery where a mother of the some of the victims was sitting.
He turned his back and stared straight ahead as his lawyer fought to keep his name secret.
His lawyer argued Taylor wasn't well and struggling mentally, but it wasn't enough for Judge McDonald, who lifted suppression orders and allowed 3 News to record the 10 minute appearance.
Taylor faces 16 charges of sexual offences, against boys as young as 11.
The mother of three of them told 3 News he'd been a trusted family friend. They went to church together and she allowed him to have sleepovers with her boys.
Her boys, she said, were doing okay.
“They are good, they've moved on.”
3 News has been told Taylor worked in advertising at the local paper, as well as being the vice-president of the Kaitaia Business Association.
Karen Robinson has known him professionally for a decade.
“He was lovely, very friendly - we used to deal with him in our business,” says Ms Robinson.
Taylor was known for being fond of children's company - he even hired a bouncy castle on his 30th birthday for his many young cousins to enjoy.
3 News spoke to Taylor's family who said they were shocked by the news of his arrest. They described him as a gentle and loving person. He has been remanded in custody until November 15, the same day Kaitaia schoolteacher James Parker is appearing in court for sentencing for dozens of sex offences against boys.
And just yesterday, former Kaitaia pastor Eric Reid pleaded guilty to a raft of sex-related charges, including secretly filming a teenage girl.
The small Northland town is reeling.
3 News