Convicted killer to be freed

Dean Wickliffe. Photo / Bay of Plenty Times

Convicted killer and career criminal Dean Wickliffe is to be released from prison after experiencing a significant emotional change while caring for his terminally ill partner, the Parole Board announced today.

Wickliffe, 62, first served 15 years in prison for the shooting of a Wellington jeweller in 1972.

His murder conviction was later quashed and replaced with a charge of manslaughter.

He was convicted for murdering Bay of Plenty man Richard Bluett in 1997.

The Court of Appeal quashed the conviction in 1998 and after a retrial Wickliffe was acquitted in February 1999.

Wickliffe escaped from the Paremoremo maximum security prison during both those jail terms.

He remains the only man to escape the prison twice.

His latest conviction on drug and firearms charges, stemming from a police search on his home, saw him sentenced to two years and nine months in jail in April last year.

The Parole Board has announced he will again be released next month.

Its decision concedes Wickliffe had a "significant career of crime" but notes psychological reports showed his offending has become less serious as he has aged.

A recent spell away from jail where he cared for his terminally ill partner had changed him for the better, the decision said.

"He is still affected emotionally by that. He is looking forward to her unveiling and he is going to wait for a time in the community so that he can organise that appropriately."

The board said Wickliffe had a job waiting for him on his release.

He will live in his own home with an electronic bracelet, with people who have no criminal history, in a "very pro-social and supportive environment".

"It is noted that his recent life experiences have resulted in him now being empathetic and understanding the concerns and needs of others," panel convenor Judge David Carruthers said.

"Having regard to all of this and his acquired maturity, again expressly mentioned by the psychologist, we have decided that the community of New Zealand would not be at an undue risk if he is released on parole."

The board imposed special conditions, including that Wickliffe does not consume drugs or alcohol or possess firearms for the rest of his life.

He was also required to attend psychological treatment and comply with a 7pm curfew for the next five years.

He will be seen by the Parole Board in November as part of his monitoring.