A criminal believed to be at high risk of violent re-offending has been released into a Northland community amid alarmed neighbours.
Arthur Alexander Gray, 51, was released from jail on Wednesday and has moved into a portable cabin on land in Lake Ora Rd, near Kamo.
Gray had served a nine-year sentence for attempting to murder (by stabbing) a backpacker in Nelson in 2003. He had attacked the backpacker 11 days after being released on parole, after serving time for aggravated robbery. It has been revealed in Parliament Gray also killed a fellow inmate while in prison.
The Parole Board, which had earlier denied Gray parole, had no choice but to release him as he had served out his latest sentence.
Board members consider Gray to be at high risk of more violent offending.
Gray was not at the property when the Northern Advocate visited yesterday.
Neighbours are "petrified" and one man spoken to by the Advocate was considering moving his family until Gray had moved away. "The phones are going red hot as we all find out about this guy. Everyone is scared and he's only a few kilometres away from the local primary school," he said.
"This guy is high risk ... he's not a petty criminal. Everyone is waiting for him to do something so he's locked up again and at what cost will that to be to us and our families?"
A Parole Board report, from a hearing held on April 30 obtained by the Advocate, described Gray's attempted murder as "bizarre and violent offending", adding "there is a history of that". The five-strong board, headed by the chairman, Sir David Carruthers, also noted Gray suffered from a paranoid delusional disorder.
They said Gray was assessed as being at high risk of future violent offending.
The board members had hoped a final assessment just before Gray was released might have allowed him to be detained under Mental Health legislation.
They said Gray had no family or other support and would not divulge any plans for his release. It was up to the Community Probation Service to find suitable accommodation and escort him to the house on the day of his release. "We do not think it will be an easy task to manage his release. Those with the responsibility to do so need to plan this carefully in advance and be alert for that occasion."
Community Probation Service assistant general manager Maria McDonald said the department had worked with police to ensure Gray was placed in an appropriate address. "Public safety is the most important priority for the Department of Corrections. Mr Gray will be managed as a high-risk offender to ensure he complies with the conditions of release and to mitigate any risk of harm he poses to others," Ms McDonald said.
A probation officer and police would check Gray "on more than one occasion each week".
Nine special release conditions, which apply for six months, include Gray being referred to a psychologist within 72 hours of release for support work to help him deal with life's stressors. A curfew required him to remain at the property between 8pm and 8am.
Gray was also banned from joining voluntary or community groups or programmes without approval from his probation officer. And Gray was forbidden to contact any of his victims.
Northland police refused to comment on the case and their involvement with Gray's release.