Child sex offender Peter Douglas Liddell will walk free from prison today, halfway through his sentence, despite pleas from a mother to keep him behind bars.
The woman, whose two boys are among Liddell's victims, said yesterday: "I wrote to the Parole Board and sent them the victim-impact report of my children but that obviously didn't make any difference.
"Liddell molested time and time again and with seven different people and he is out in five years. My children are serving a life sentence."
Liddell will be released from Auckland Prison at Paremoremo, five years into a 10-year sentence.
The board approved the 53-year-old's release a fortnight ago. His case was first considered in March, when parole was declined but deferred for a further hearing this month.
The decision has stunned his victims, and raised concerns in Waiuku, where he will live under supervision.
The father of one of Liddell's victims questioned what it took for someone to serve a complete sentence. "Here is a guy who has been described as one of New Zealand's worst sex offenders, yet he is let out after only half of his time. What the hell are they doing?"
Liddell was serving two jail sentences after convictions in 1993 and 1994 for sexual abuse counts involving seven children. His offending stretched back over 20 years.
He was employed as a social worker by the Auckland Hospital Board and King's College in Otahuhu.
Liddell began his sentence at Ohura Prison, but was later moved to Paremoremo. On release he is required to report to a parole officer and is banned from contact with children under the age of 16 without the direct supervision of an adult. He is not allowed to contact his victims without the prior approval of his supervisor.
The conditions are for 18 months, during which time he may be required to undergo counselling that he began in prison.
A Department of Corrections spokeswoman said she was unable to comment on an individual case, but said anyone who breached parole conditions could be recalled to face the remainder of his or her sentence.
The mother whose two boys were abused said she was worried about ongoing supervision.
"He will be walking around bold as brass. It's only 18 months that he is not allowed to be around children. After that, what happens?"
The Mayor of Franklin District, Heather Maloney, said she would seek assurances about the arrangements being made. "I don't really understand how they are going to impose the conditions, and I will be talking to the police."