Leaflet drops 'rapist among us' bomb

Alarmed residents are tightening security after being warned that the Parnell Panther, a convicted rapist, has moved into their North Shore neighbourhood.

Leaflets stating that Mark William Stephens is living in Browns Bay have been distributed to residents in Mawson Ave and Holt Ave, at least, leaving many worried.

The leaflets, written by an anonymous "concerned father/husband," question the safety of women in the area and have prompted residents to seek police advice.

Police refuse to say where Stephens is living but confirm that some residents have contacted them.

Stephens served 7 1/2 years of a 12-year jail term imposed in 1985 for the rape of an Auckland model. He also served a five-year concurrent sentence for the vicious beating of another woman, who was injured so badly that neighbours did not recognise her when she came for help.

Initial plans for his release sparked a public outcry, led by Police Association leaders.

The Browns Bay leaflets, headed "Rapist" in large writing, were put in letterboxes on Tuesday night.

Some residents already knew of Stephens' presence and understood he, a partner and young child had been living in the area for months.

But a number, upset that no one had told them about Stephens, said yesterday that they were upgrading home and personal security. No one was prepared to be identified.

One 21-year-old woman said her family would install deadlocks and she would stop walking around the neighbourhood at night.

"There's no way someone like that has been rehabilitated."

A 40-year-old man said: "As soon as I found out, I whacked the alarm system in. The wife didn't sleep at all for a week."

Some residents opposed the leaflets in principle, but believed they still had a right to know if a convicted rapist was living nearby. Others simply wanted Stephens to go away. "It does concern me. We'd prefer he lived in Mangere," one man said.

No one was at the address where Stephens is believed to be living when the Herald visited yesterday. Police do not know if he knows about the leaflets.

Inspector Mike Hill, head of the North Shore police, said officers had visited Stephens previously but had not warned residents about him.

"I have taken calls from the public and have reassured them that there's nothing to suggest he is going to reoffend."

Mr Hill said police monitored all released criminals on the Shore and balanced public safety against a person's right to privacy. "If we think it goes to the need to protect the public, we will invariably inform the neighbours, schools and those around."

Mr Hill said Stephens had lived on the North Shore for up to nine months, had been out of prison for a long time and had not reoffended.

Prison reform campaigner Peter Williams, QC, was outraged that the leaflets had been distributed.

"That's absolutely shocking. I'm absolutely appalled by people who put out books and pamphlets about people who have served their time in prison."

Released offenders had to live somewhere. "People cannot expect their particular communities not to have their fair share."

He warned that the leaflets and suspicion could devastate Stephens.

Stephens' uncle Sonny Harrison, of Ahipara in the Far North, said he could understand the residents' concern but agreed with Mr Williams.

"It's been eight years since he's been out."