'High risk' double killer set for release

David Tamihere was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1990. Photo / Rhys Palmer

Convicted murderer David Tamihere could be back on the streets as early as November, despite a psychologist's report saying he is at high risk of reoffending.

Tamihere was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1990 for the murders of Swedish backpackers Urban Hoglin and Heidi Paakkonen on the Coromandel Peninsula.

A report yesterday by the Parole Board shows that he is likely to be released in November - when a hearing is scheduled - after further information on the suitability of release is presented to board members, including a residential restriction report.

Several points in the board's report talk about improve-ments in Tamihere's behaviour and the fact that he has completed a sex offender programme.

Despite this, one point says that there are signs that still make him an at-risk offender.

"He is assessed by the psychologist's report as being at high risk but showing an increased ability of managing that risk in a satisfactory way with appropriate community conditions," the report says.

Tamihere - the brother of Radio-Live host and former Cabinet minister John Tamihere - is staying in the self-care units at Waikato's Spring Hill prison and a family plan presented to the board has gained its support.

The first part of that plan would involve his living at a secret address for a short time and would have conditions similar to home detention - including wearing an ankle bracelet and being unable to go beyond the boundaries of the residence.

Parolees under residential restrictions are able to work and attend programmes to address their offending, and can be recalled to prison if they breach their conditions.

"We are not sure about whether residential restrictions should be an important part of any future release yet but we ask for that to be investigated in the usual way so that it is an option before the board," the report says.

Tamihere skipped bail for a rape committed in 1986 and was on the run when the young Swedish visitors were murdered.

He has always insisted he was not responsible for their deaths.

He also has a manslaughter conviction relating to the death of an Auckland prostitute in 1972.

Tamihere is said to be a model prisoner and this year he was let out of jail for a visit to his Auckland family home.

He has made several appeals against his conviction and his pleas for parole have so far been rejected.

The board said it would be useful if an updated psychological report concentrating on the plan be presented in time for the hearing in November.

- Additional reporting: NZPA