Convicted sex offender sent live bullet through the post

A convicted sex offender has been sent a live bullet and a threatening letter through the post.

The man was sentenced to community service after being convicted of indecently assaulting a woman in 1990.

The man, whose name is suppressed by a court, received the bullet on Monday.

It was accompanied by an anonymous letter saying: "This is a warning shot. Stay away from our kids and the elderly people of Buller. You are a lowlife pervert that should leave Westport."

The letter suggested that he should get out of Westport.

The man told the Westport News he was frightened by the threat.

He said: "I won't be able to sleep now for fear someone's going to poke a .22 through the window and shoot me in bed."

Police said that they were taking the threat seriously.

Constable Mike Voice told the paper: "It's quite a serious
threat because there was a bullet in the envelope."

- NZPA