Parole to be considered again for RSA getaway driver

Darnell Tupe has been recalled to prison. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

An accomplice in the triple RSA murders has been recalled to prison but will be considered for parole again next month.

The Parole Board made a final recall order for Darnell Kere Tupe on May 10, following an interim recall in January after he was charged with breaching his parole by driving while disqualified and assaulting his sister.

Tupe had been released on parole on 23 April 2012, after being sentenced to 12 years for manslaughter and aggravated robbery in 2003.

He was the getaway driver in the December 2001 killings at the Mt Wellington-Panmure RSA.

The Parole Board considered the final recall in February but delayed the decision until the assault and driving charge could be heard in court.

At the May 10 hearing, the board heard the court had advised a sentence indication of five months to be served cumulatively, but the sentence could not be imposed until a final recall order was made.

The board confirmed Tupe's recall to prison, and ordered that he be brought back before the board for parole to be considered in June.

Tupe's sentence expires on December 14, and the board said while offenders would usually be seen three months before expiry date, it was making an exception on this occasion.

"However there are by no means any assurances within this decision that parole will be granted or even be a realistic prospect for the board at that next hearing."

The board would also be taking into account any change in the sentence expiry date as a result of the new convictions.