29 Mar 2012

Corrections under-estimated risk posed by road rage killer

6:40 pm on 29 March 2012

An official report says the Corrections Department has consistently under-estimated the risk posed by the killer of an elderly Auckland man in a road rage attack.

Bio O'Brien is days away from being let out of jail, after serving his full sentence for the manslaughter of 78-year-old Jasmatbhai Patel in 2009.

Mr Patel died from head injuries sustained in the attack, which followed a minor crash in the Auckland suburb of Mt Albert.

The Parole Board says O'Brien's risk has been consistently under-estimated by the Corrections Department, which made just one programme available to him during his sentence.

The Parole Board says it is a matter of urgency he undertakes a so-called maintenance programme before leaving jail on 7 April.

O'Brien is subject to release conditions for six months once he leaves prison.