Disgraced former Gloriavale leader Howard Temple has successfully appealed his two-year prison sentence. That means he will not spend a minute behind bars for more than 20 years of sexual offending against girls and women, most of which occurred while he was the official leader of the isolated Christian sect. Instead, Temple will serve a period of home detention, the Herald has learned. In December, the 85-year-old was sentenced in the Greymouth District Court by Judge Raoul Neave to 26 months in prison. He had earlier pleaded guilty to a raft of sex offences against six victims who were all much younger members of the Gloriavale community. Immediately after he was sentenced, his lawyer, Michael Vesty, filed an appeal. Howard Temple in court in December at his sentencing for decades of sex abuse. Photo / Joe Allison At a hearing in the High Court at Christchurch last month, Vesty described the sentence as “manifestly excessive” and he asked Justice Owen Paulsen to quash the prison term and replace it with home detention. The Crown argued the sentence should stand – especially given Temple’s position and standing in the Gloriavale community at the time of his offending. Justice Paulsen released his reserved decision today. It is yet to be provided to the Herald, however, several sources have confirmed Temple’s bid was successful. “My client will respect the court’s decision, and is pleased the matter is now concluded,” Vesty said. Temple’s District Court sentence At the District Court sentencing, Judge Raoul Neave said Temple’s offending would have been “excruciating” for the victims. Vesty sought a sentence of home detention, saying Temple was an elderly man “of diminishing physical and cognitive health”. But he ultimately ruled that a 26-month stint in prison was the most appropriate outcome. He agreed Temple appeared to have “an utter lack of awareness” of the effects of his behaviour on his victims. Gloriavale Christian Community located at Haupiri on the West Coast of the South Island. Photo / George Heard “The victims were young people who resided in that community, essentially under your protection … and had no way of escape,” he said. “They were children. And you were old enough to be their grandfather or even great-grandfather ... [there was] an utter lack of concern for the interests of those whom you were there to protect, constantly taking advantage of the situation that presented itself.” Soon after sentencing, Vesty confirmed an appeal had been lodged and, as a result, Temple had been released on bail. His bail address is a house on the wider Gloriavale property - away from the main buildings where the community’s families live. His appeal was heard on February 19. Quashed: The High Court appeal decision “The outcome sought by Mr Temple is … to quash the sentence of two years and two months’ imprisonment imposed and … reduced to a point where home detention can be considered, which in counsel’s submission is the least restrictive outcome and meets all of the aims and objectives of sentencing,” Vesty said in last month’s appeal hearing. He described Temple’s sentence as “manifestly excessive” and said Judge Neave erred in calculating the totality of the charges, resulting in “an overall starting point which was too high”. He also submitted that Judge Neave did not give enough of a discount for Temple’s remorse and health. “His Honour didn’t really delve deep enough into factors personal to the appellant ... and the value of his remorse and insight,” Vesty said. “And he didn’t pay enough attention to expert evidence of the doctor commissioned prior to sentencing to meet and assess Mr Temple and make observations about sentencing levels and outcomes.” He said the fact Temple had lived in an isolated community and hadn’t experienced “the advantages of the outside world”, combined with his cognitive decline, meant his capability to demonstrate remorse and insight was different from other offenders. “He hasn’t h...