Farmer Allan Titford Denied Parole, Claims System Unfair

A New Zealand farmer serving a 24-year sentence for multiple serious offenses, including rape and arson, has expressed his frustration over the parole system, which he claims is treating him unfairly. Allan Titford, who has been incarcerated since 2013, was denied parole during a hearing this week due to the absence of an approved release address.

During the hearing, Titford challenged the Parole Board, asserting, “You are cutting me off and kicking me in the guts. Your system will not give me a fair go.” He insisted that there were several accommodation options available, despite being informed there was no suitable address for him outside prison.

Titford’s criminal history includes a total of 39 charges related to sex and violence spanning over two decades. The board’s discussion became heated at times, as he reiterated his concerns about the lack of progress towards his potential release. “The system has failed to have me ready for parole,” he stated, indicating his frustration with the process.

Martha Coleman, the panel convenor, urged Titford to concentrate on the specifics of his case rather than expressing general grievances. When he inquired about the potential need to escalate his case to the High Court, he was once again told that a lack of approved accommodation was the primary barrier to his release.

Titford claimed to have submitted 16 different addresses for potential release, including options in Australia and the Waikato region. Despite his assertions, Coleman reminded him that he remained under sentence until 2037. This marked his eighth parole hearing, with assessments indicating he posed a low to average risk.

Complications arose from Titford’s history, which includes multiple instances of arson. In 2023, one of his residences in Northland was destroyed by fire, marking the third property he owned that had been burned. He was previously convicted of setting fire to a house on his Maunganui Bluff farm in 1992 and had initially blamed the incident on local Māori, a claim that has contributed to ongoing community tensions.

Titford’s former wife, Susan Cochrane, has publicly accused him of sexual assault and violent behavior, asserting that he kept her “as a slave” for 22 years. She waived her right to name suppression to allow for Titford’s identification.

The Parole Board acknowledged that while Titford had complied with prison regulations, significant work remained before he could be considered for release. Coleman suggested that he might benefit from legal representation, noting that assistance could be sought through Legal Aid. Yet, Titford expressed hesitance about incurring further expenses.

The possibility of being paroled to Australia was discussed, but Coleman clarified that such a decision would require suspending the condition that prohibits him from leaving New Zealand. The board would only consider this if they were satisfied with the circumstances, and at present, Titford’s situation remains complicated by his convictions.

Coleman highlighted the importance of engaging in reintegration activities, which are essential for prisoners serving longer sentences. Titford mentioned his involvement in a recycling program within the prison, describing it as “the prison’s grubbiest job.”

Titford’s rise to prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s was marked by his legal battles over Māori land claims, particularly concerning his Maunganui Bluff farm. The Waitangi Tribunal eventually recommended that the land be returned to local iwi, a decision that Titford contested vigorously.

In 2013, following years of legal battles and community strife, the truth about Titford’s actions came to light. Te Roroa kaumatua Manos Nathan expressed relief that Titford’s crimes had finally been exposed, noting that the local community had suffered from his false accusations and actions.

As the hearing concluded, Titford’s long-term supporter spoke on his behalf, emphasizing his friend’s frustration over the repeated denials of parole due to a lack of suitable accommodation. The board will reconvene to review Titford’s case in April 2026, as he continues to seek a path toward release.