Secret Recording Leads to Graham James Fox’s Arrest for Historical Abuse

Wellington, New Zealand — A secret recording made in 2019 has led to the arrest and sentencing of Graham James Fox, a 65-year-old man from Wellington, for historical abuse involving a teenager in the early 1990s. Fox was sentenced to eight months of home detention and ordered to pay his victim $2,500 in emotional harm compensation after admitting to indecency with a boy aged 12 to 16 years in the Wellington District Court.

The incident came to light when Fox, in a two-hour conversation at a petrol station cafe, admitted to a Destiny Church facilitator that he had “fiddled around with” the victim in the early 1990s. The recording was later handed to police, who charged Fox in 2020. Fox’s defense initially tried to exclude the recording from the trial, citing religious privilege, but the Court of Appeal rejected this argument in June 2024.

The victim, who spoke to NZME after the sentencing, described the emotional toll of the case over the past decade. “The wait has been stressful, it’s just hanging over you like a dead weight,” he said. He also revealed that the abuse had caused significant mental health issues and led to a 15-year period of reliance on benefits.

During the trial, the court heard that Fox had developed a close relationship with the victim in the early 1990s, offering him activities like motorbike riding and swimming. The two ended up in a compromising situation, and Fox touched the teenager’s penis. He later told the victim that, with his impending marriage, he could no longer see him or have him stay over at his house.

Over the years, Fox made confessions to his wife, a pastor, his brother-in-law, and a facilitator at a church-based anti-violence program. After his marriage ended, his ex-wife provided information to police in 2013 and 2016. The case was revisited in 2015 when the victim was approached by police, leading to Fox’s arrest in 2020.

At his trial in May 2024, Fox admitted to the indecency charge but was found not guilty on two other charges, one of which fell outside the statute of limitations. Judge Bruce Davidson noted that the incident, though brief, was serious and involved skin-on-skin touching of a teenager.

The victim, in his impact statement, described his struggles with depression, anxiety, and physical health issues, including hospitalization for organ failure. Despite the trauma, he expressed pride in rebuilding his life. “I have put my life back together. I am back on my feet again and I am proud of myself,” he said.

Fox’s defense argued that he had not reoffended in the past 34 years and that his risk of reoffending was low. Judge Davidson, however, emphasized the emotional and physical breach of trust and the grooming that had taken place. He noted that Fox’s actions had long-term consequences for the victim.

Ultimately, Fox was sentenced to eight months of home detention and ordered to pay $2,500 in compensation. The judge declined to grant name suppression or place Fox on the sex offender register, citing his low risk of reoffending and the special conditions imposed by the court.

The case has sparked a broader discussion about the importance of addressing historical abuse and the long-term impact it can have on victims. It also highlights the role of recorded admissions in bringing long-dormant cases to light.