6 Aug 2012

Murderer back behind bars for second time

12:30 pm on 6 August 2012

A man who murdered his remedial reading teacher two decades ago is back behind bars

Stacey Hollyman was 15 when he stabbed Margaret Russell during a lesson in her Havelock North home in 1991.

First paroled in 2005, he was sent back to prison for taking drugs. When the Parole Board released him for a second time in December, it said he was a moderate-to-high risk but committed to a drug-free life.

A fresh board report says Hollyman was becoming increasingly violent, angry and dishonest on the rehabilitation programme where he was living and is once again back in jail.

The last straw was when he admitted a part in bringing contraband into the programme, though the exact form of contraband isn't being disclosed.

Hollyman has told the board he has learned a hard lesson.

His next chance at parole comes in October.