David Bain returns to Dunedin

David Bain and a friend swam and relaxed at St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool yesterday. The former Dunedin resident still has many close friends in the city. Photo / Supplied

David Bain has been spotted relaxing in Dunedin, weeks before a book on his retrial is to be released and he makes his speaking debut at an international conference.

The former Dunedin man was convicted in 1995 of murdering his parents, two sisters and brother and spent 13 years in jail before being acquitted in a 2009 retrial.

Friends of David Bain group head Catherine Spencer told the Otago Daily Times: "He is in town. He is just here visiting friends and that is all I am going to say."

She confirmed she was one of the friends he had visited.

Mr Bain was seen swimming at St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool with a female acquaintance, and later relaxed at an outside table.

Supporter Joe Karam said Mr Bain had returned to Dunedin at least six times.

"He still has lots of very, very close friends down there and he is regularly up and down."

Mr Karam confirmed the pair would attend the International Justice Conference at Perth in March, which is billed as the first time Mr Bain will speak publicly about his experiences.

"It is the first time he has done a public address. Obviously he has been interviewed on television a number of times over the years since he got bail, but this is the first time he has made a public address."

Mr Karam said his protege had written his speech "and he utilised my services, for what they are worth, as well as other people he knows to help him finetune it".

He said Mr Bain continued to work for an Auckland firm specialising in marine engineering and fabrication, and lived in Kumeu.

Mr Karam said he could not give specific details about his book, but confirmed it was to be published on Monday, February 13.

There also continued to be interest about a possible movie on Mr Bain's experiences, he said, and "there has been discussions but nothing concrete or of a firm nature about anything".

Retired Canadian judge Justice Ian Binney would assess Mr Bain's compensation claims for wrongful imprisonment and conviction, Mr Karam said. In March 2010 Mr Bain notified former Justice Minister Simon Power he would claim compensation.

- Otago Daily Times