Repeat Sex Offender Michael Buck Sentenced to Home Detention for Child Abuse

A repeat sex offender, Michael Brendon Buck, has been sentenced to 10 months and two weeks of home detention for multiple charges of sexual conduct with a child under the age of 12. The court heard that Buck, now 65, had previously been jailed for three and a half years in 1991 for indecent acts on a child, and the time between his most recent offending and his previous conviction was only 12 years.

The victim, who was under Buck’s care when she was 4 and 5 years old, described the trauma of the abuse as something she could not comprehend. She said the hardest part was telling her family about what had happened. “I didn’t really think anything of it, the damage it might cause, the guilt, talking about it, I still get a sore throat, my heart caves into the pit of my stomach.”

The victim’s statement was read out in the Christchurch District Court by Crown prosecutor Jade Lancaster when Buck appeared for sentencing. The court heard that Buck had committed indecent acts on the child when she was 4 or 5 years old and again when she was 8 or 9 years old. Buck initially denied the offending but later accepted the summary of facts as presented by the victim.

Buck’s defense lawyer, Rupert Ward, argued that his client had shown remorse and taken responsibility for his actions. However, Judge Gerard Lynch did not accept this claim of remorse, stating that it was more about the situation Buck found himself in rather than genuine remorse for the harm caused to the child.

Judge Lynch emphasized that the court needed to protect children and others from the real and genuine risk posed by Buck. The victim had expressed a desire for Buck to acknowledge what he had done, and the court ultimately sentenced him to 10 months and two weeks of home detention and placed him on the Child Sex Offender Register.

The Crown also sought to have Buck placed on the register, and Judge Lynch agreed, stating that the thought of returning to jail had “terrified” Buck. Despite Buck’s attempts to portray remorse, the judge was clear that the harm he caused would have long-lasting effects on the victim.

This case highlights the ongoing risk posed by repeat sex offenders and the importance of ensuring that appropriate measures are taken to protect vulnerable individuals from further harm. The victim’s statement and the court’s response serve as a stark reminder of the lasting impact of child abuse and the need for continued vigilance in dealing with such crimes.