A convicted sex offender dubbed the "Beast of Blenheim" has distributed a doctored letter from Justice Minister Phil Goff - and Mr Goff is not impressed.
Stewart Murray Wilson is serving 21 years after his conviction in 1996 on charges of rape, bestiality, sexual violation, stupefying, ill-treatment of children and indecent assault.
He has often complained about media treatment of his case, but on Monday it was Wilson apparently trying to lead journalists astray.
In a letter to the Press protesting his innocence, Wilson included a copy of a letter he received from Mr Goff, dated August 5, 2003.
In it, Mr Goff said he had considered Wilson's case and five applications for the royal prerogative of mercy and "I am satisfied that there has been a miscarriage of justice. On that basis, I intend to review the case further".
White gaps between words and letters slightly out-of-alignment hinted that the document may have been doctored - as a call to Mr Goff's office confirmed.
A few key words were missing. The real letter read: "I am satisfied that there has not been a miscarriage of justice. On that basis, I do not intend to review the case further."
Mr Goff's reaction was sharp and swift: "The honesty of the individual shows why he should remain in prison," he said.
Wilson's "news" surprised even his own lawyer, Michael Starling, who had not been notified that his client's case was under review. Wilson does have one final long shot. He has written to the Queen asking her for a royal pardon - or a reduced sentence.
- NZPA
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