Dance party rapist ‘has no remorse’

A victim of Mateo Nixon, who sexually assaulted six women he met through the outdoor dance party scene, says she believes he still has no remorse for what he has done.

Nixon, now in his mid-30s, was denied parole after appearing before the Parole Board last week. He has spent 61⁄2 years of his 13-year prison sentence behind bars. Yesterday, the board confirmed Nixon would be seen again in 12 months.

A full written decision on the hearing will not be available until later this week.

The woman said it was a relief to find out Nixon’s parole had been denied.

‘‘I was hoping it would be a longer period before he would come up for parole again because it is traumatic to have to go through this every year, but I am relieved that he is not being released.’’

In August 2016, Nixon was sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment after being convicted of six charges of rape, three of unlawful sexual connection, two of indecent assault, and two of sexual connection with a young person under 16.

At the time of his offending, the Christchurch man was involved in outdoor dance events across the South Island.

Nixon’s offending happened between October 2009 and July 2012. Three of the six victims knew him from his involvement in the dance party scene.

He raped five of the victims – without wearing any protection.

Three of his victims were assaulted more than once.

Nixon appealed against his conviction and sentence to the Court of Appeal but his appeal was dismissed. However, the court did reduce his sentence to 13 years in jail after his appeal argued his autism caused him to misread social cues.

A doctor’s report presented during Nixon’s sentencing showed he had difficulty understanding the consequences of his actions.

However, the Court of Appeal said the report ‘‘did not show that misunderstandings arising from ASD (autistic spectrum disorder) were causative of the offending’’.

Nixon’s victim said she did not believe his autism diagnosis and thought he had manipulated the clinician who diagnosed him so he could have an ‘‘excuse’’ for his predatory behaviour.

‘‘He is somebody who is quite charismatic and extremely manipulative – that is why he was able to get away with multiple rapes. Saying that he did what he did because he misread social cues just shows his lack of remorse.’’

She said Nixon had never apologised to her and also failed to pay the reparation he was ordered to pay.

‘‘There would be a risk to public safety if he was released.’’