Freedom for home invasion brothers

The first of two brothers involved in the home-invasion murder of Reporoa woman Beverly Bouma was released from prison yesterday, six years after her death.

Mark and Luke Reihana were sentenced in 1999 to eight years' jail for manslaughter and seven years for aggravated robbery, served concurrently, for their part in the home invasion.

Mark Reihana was released after completing a violence prevention programme at Montgomery House in Hamilton.

Luke Reihana is to be freed on Sunday.

The brothers and two other men invaded the home of Henk and Beverly Bouma. They dragged Mrs Bouma into a room naked, beat her and then shot her in the neck.

Mrs Bouma was shot by David Poumako, who died in jail in 2001.

The fourth man, Dillon Hitaua, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison for manslaughter, is not yet due for release.

Mrs Bouma's husband, Henk, died of liver cancer in July 2002, but yesterday his brother Peter said he hoped the time the pair had spent in prison had taught them something.

"I think the event seems that recent that I think those guys have got out a bit soon," Mr Bouma said.

But he accepted under the legislation they had to be released.

The Parole Board had no discretion over the release because the brothers were sentenced under old legislation. That law made them eligible for release after serving two-thirds of their sentence.

Mr Bouma said not a day went by that his family did not think about what happened.

He hoped the boys would go straight and listen to their parents.

"I hope the short time they have been in prison has taught them something because they are still young guys - if it hasn't they will probably never learn."

Sensible Sentencing Trust spokesman Garth McVicar said that since the pair were sentenced under the old legislation it was understood nothing could have been done to keep them in prison any longer.

"We are appalled that people involved in that horrific home invasion could be released at this early stage."

He hoped the opportunity had been taken to impose stringent conditions on the pair.

The brothers' parents, Pandra and Mark, appeared on a television documentary last year.

The Herald contacted Mrs Reihana yesterday but she said that after speaking with Corrections Department officials she had agreed that any comment on her sons would be made through the department.

Offenders get list of rules for their release

Conditions for Mark Reihana

1. Live at a specified address.

2. Attend a "maintenance group" meeting run by the Corrections Department for the duration of parole or until he finds employment.

3. Undertake individual or group intervention to address factors related to offending as directed by his probation officer.

4. No contact with any person the probation office directs him not to associate with.

5. No contact with the victims' family unless given written approval from his probation officer.

Conditions for Luke Reihana

1. Attend a 100-hour substance abuse prevention programme.

2. Attend a maintenance group after completing any programme or until employment is found.

3. No contact with the victims' family unless his probation officer gives him permission.

4. Undertake drug and alcohol assessment and counselling as directed.

5. Live at an approved address.

6. Undergo psychological assessment and thereafter counselling as directed.

7. Undertake any other interventions to address factors related to offending and support a positive lifestyle.

8. No association with people nominated by his probation officer.

9. Undertake a budgeting course.