Would-be rapist allowed to use dating apps

• Published date: 27 May 2023
• Publication title: Otago Daily Times (New Zealand)

The news has left the victim’s family despairing, but the man’s lawyer says his client, who spent six months behind bars, has been let down by the system and justice has now prevailed

Michael John Danyon Fraser (26) was originally jailed for two years and three months when he was sentenced in March, but that was reduced to six months’ home detention two weeks ago following an appeal to the High Court.

The man made headlines just a few days later when it emerged that he had activated a profile on a popular dating app.

Corrections staff immediately met Fraser, who confirmed he had deleted his online accounts.

An urgent application was made to the court proposing greater restrictions, including a ban from dating websites and a condition he inform a Probation officer if he entered an intimate relationship.

However, in the Dunedin District Court this week Corrections formally withdrew the application.

Crown prosecutor Pip Norman...