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A convicted rapist wanted by Christchurch police after he walked away from home detention gave himself up to Greymouth police last night.
John Clarke absconded from home detention on Monday. He was due to end his sentence for rape next year and was released on home detention in
preparation for his freedom.
"He wandered in off the street with a TV film crew," Sergeant David Cross of Greymouth police said. "It was about 5.20pm. They were in a bit of a rush to get it on the 6 o'clock news."
His absconding sparked angry debate in Parliament with the Parole Board coming under renewed attack.
Clarke was jailed for kidnapping and raping a 15-year-old schoolgirl in 1997. He had ripped off her clothes, strangled her to the point of unconsciousness and threatened to kill her.
He was on bail at the time for attacking a 24-year-old woman nine months earlier, and was sentenced to 11 years' jail. He was released on home detention in 2004, but was recalled after allegations he coaxed a female visitor to have sex with him.
After another release on home detention in November, he fled again on Monday to avoid arrest after the Parole Board began the process of recalling him to prison for breaching release conditions - he had failed to attend a Kia Marama support group.
Clarke said he had been kicked off the course for failing to admit responsibility for his crimes.
"They threw me off the course, and because I'm no longer on the course I get recalled. That's a crazy situation ... now I'm a hunted man," the Press newspaper reported.
In Parliament, National and New Zealand First attacked the Government over the Parole Board, questioning its decisions and calling for accountability.
Justice Minister Mark Burton, Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor and Prime Minister Helen Clark fended off attacks and repeated the intention to give the Parole Board more power to receive relevant information, with a view to avoiding history repeating.
New Zealand First Corrections spokesman Ron Mark was outraged that Clarke was on the loose, especially in the wake of the Graeme Burton tragedy where he killed Karl Kuchenbecker while on parole.
Mr Mark asked Mark Burton: "Does he believe the Parole Board's recent decision to put John Clarke ... back on home [detention], despite the fact the last time he was on home [detention] he breached its terms, was a sensible decision?
"What does the minister now have to say to the Parole Board which subsequently put him back on home detention, from which he has again absconded, resulting in a man-hunt to recapture and re-imprison him?"
Mr Burton said he could not comment on individual cases, but the Government was moving "to ensure that the safety of the community is not only paramount, but becomes the sole criteria to ensure that community safety is properly protected".
Parole Board communications manager Sonja de Friez has defended the decision to grant Clarke home detention.
"Mr Clarke finishes his sentence in June 2008 ... Home detention allows the offender to be closely monitored and supported while reintegration and rehabilitation is progressed."
Mr Mark said later he opposed Clarke's release in 2004, and believes he should have served his full sentence.
