This Tauranga victim of the 'Beast of Blenheim' says she's still haunted by him. Photo / John Borren
The Department of Corrections is attempting to keep the man described as the "Beast of Blenheim" behind bars for nearly four more years.
Stewart Murray Wilson was convicted in 1996 on a raft of sex offences involving 16 female victims over 23 years. The charges included rape, bestiality,
stupefying, ill-treatment of children and indecent assault.
He was found guilty on all but two of 25 charges, and sentenced to 21 years in prison.
He was due to be released on December 2 this year, having served two-thirds of his sentence (taking account of the time he was held in custody before trial).
But in September the Parole Board turned down his bid for parole, saying he had been assessed as posing a high or very high risk of serious sexual or violent recidivism.
Since then the Department of Corrections has applied for a special order under section 107 of the Parole Act 2002 for Wilson to be kept in prison until September 1 2012.
Serious violent offenders sentenced before July 2002 are required to be released after serving two-thirds of their sentence, which is known as their final release date.
Release is not discretionary with the Parole Board's only role being to impose conditions.
However, under section 107 the chief executive of the Department of Corrections may apply to the board for an order that an offender be kept in prison beyond their final release date.
Offenders subject to orders under section 107, or section 105 of the Criminal Justice Act 1985, must have the order reviewed at least once every six months.
In a decision released today, the Parole Board said Wilson opposed the department's application to detain Wilson until September 2012.
Wilson was currently obtaining an independent psychological assessment, the board said.
A board spokeswoman told NZPA the board was likely to have a hearing in late December or early January to consider the department's application.
- NZPA
