David Robinson: Judge Slams Former Hotel Owner for Exploiting Minor

What happened?

A former owner of the iconic Dunedin pub The Captain Cook Hotel has been jailed for two years and three months for contracting a 15-year-old for sex. Michael McLeod, who was 40 at the time of the offending, replied to an advertisement for sexual services from an 18-year-old, but the victim was only 15 and had been effectively coerced into sex work by a different man.

Why it matters for David Robinson

Judge David Robinson described the victim as extraordinarily vulnerable, emphasizing the severity of the crime. He stated that McLeod's actions were "sickening and unconscionable" and that he continued to see the victim even after he started to believe she was 16.

What comes next?

The victim's road to recovery will be long and arduous, with many hurdles to overcome. McLeod's lawyer, Sarah Saunderson-Warner, said that her client had undergone significant rehabilitation and was now focused on helping rather than harming. However, the impact of the crime on the victim will be ongoing, and it is clear that justice has been served.

On Wednesday, Judge David Robinson delivered a stern verdict against Michael McLeod, the former owner of The Captain Cook Hotel. McLeod had been found guilty of contracting a 15-year-old for sex, and the judge's words highlighted the severity of the crime. The victim, who was only 15 at the time, had been effectively coerced into sex work by a different man and had been paid $500 by McLeod on two occasions.

McLeod had initially thought the victim was an adult and had been involved in sex work, but he later realized she was only 15. He had given her methamphetamine, alcohol, and vapes, and had continued to see her even after he started to believe she was 16. The contents of the victim's impact statement were suppressed, but Judge Robinson said that the impact on the victim was serious and ongoing.

McLeod's business, The Captain Cook Hotel, had been renamed Dive in 2020 before it closed in 2023 after being served eviction notices. The hotel's history is a testament to the enduring legacy of the city's entertainment industry, but the actions of its former owner have brought shame and notoriety to the establishment.

In August 2024, police searched McLeod's Dunedin home, discovering methamphetamine and a pipe as well as seizing and analyzing his computer. They found videos of sex acts with the victim, including some she had sent, which were saved in a folder bearing her name.

The case highlights the severity of the crime and the long road to recovery for the victim. Judge David Robinson's words emphasized the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions and providing support for victims of exploitation.