A former Child, Youth and Family carer has been sentenced to 10 years and two months in prison for sexually violating and indecently assaulting young boys in his care.
Earl William Opetaia. Photo: RNZ / Jordan Bond
Earl William Opetaia ran an Auckland children's home in the early-to-mid 2000s, caring for about 150 boys over a five-year period.
The 59-year-old was found guilty of 21 charges in March.
He was found guilty of 15 counts relating to sexual abuse and indecent assault of five boys in his care between 2003-2006.
He was also found guilty of three counts of supplying drugs to some of the boys, and three counts of threatening to kill.
During sentencing at the Auckland High Court today, Justice Ian Gault said Opetaia knew his victims were already vulnerable because of their backgrounds and abused his position.
"You represented yourself to CYF's as a responsible caregiver but breached the trust put in you," he said.
"The victims were prevented from having a safe and secure home in a time of particular need."
Justice Gault also referred to one victim's impact statement, which said Opetaia took advantage of him as a kid when he had no one else to turn to.
"He was ruined by what you did. Your offending affected his subsequent life choices, and he was diagnosed with PTSD," he said.
Opetaia is already serving a five-year sentence for sexually violating a 14-year-old boy in 2014.
Today's sentencing of 10 years and two months will not begin until the five-year sentence he is currently serving ends in July 2023.
A minimum non-parole period of five years and one month was imposed.
