27 Jun 2016

Parents outraged at sex offender court decision

2:00 pm on 27 June 2016

Parents worried about a sex offender living next to their childrens' school plan to protest against a court decision allowing him to live outside prison grounds.

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Photo: 123rf

The man, whose name is suppressed, was released to a house across the road from Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae in Māngere, Auckland under an Extended Supervision Order, with two staff and a security guard monitoring him 24 hours a day.

He was then moved to another house, near Jean Batten School, but with special security features including locks, alarms and a 2m fence.

Corrections failed in a High Court bid to subject the man to a Public Protection Order, which would have kept him on prison grounds.

Mangere MP Su'a William Sio said parents are frustrated and they intend to protest the decision.

They also want Corrections to appeal it.

Labour MP, Su'a William Sio.

Labour MP, Su'a William Sio. Photo: parliament

"We are going to be discussing a range of things including a petition to Parliament.

"But I think at the moment the parents believe that Corrections ought to be pursuing the Public Protection Order to the appeal stage."

However, a Corrections spokesperson said after taking legal advice it would not appeal the decision.

It said the offender would continue to be assessed for the likelihood of further offending and has stringent conditions imposed on him.