KEY POINTS:
A convicted rapist who broke his parole conditions is on the run after he was granted bail while facing kidnapping and theft charges.
Porirua police are appealing to the public for sightings of Hiro Joe, 24, who was sentenced to six years' jail for raping and sodomising a
15-year-old girl in 2002.
Joe was on parole when he was involved in an incident on December 30, which led to him being charged with kidnapping and the unlawful taking of a motor vehicle.
Steve McCormick, of Porirua police, said the alleged kidnap victim was known to Joe, but the incident did not have a sexual element to it.
Joe appeared before a justice of the peace on January 1 and was remanded in custody to reappear before a judge on January 5, when he was granted bail despite police opposition.
An order to recall Joe to prison was issued on January 15. He failed to appear in Porirua District Court on January 30.
The case is fuel for the Sensible Sentencing Trust to renew its call to abolish parole for violent and recidivist offenders.
"Rape is an incredibly violent offence and this reinforces our argument that parole is a failed experiment for recidivist or violent offenders," spokesman Garth McVicar said.
He said it was mind-boggling to think that Joe was granted bail considering that he had a rape conviction, was on parole and was in custody facing fresh criminal charges.
"Police don't oppose bail lightly. You would expect judges to listen, especially when the guy's on parole."
At his 2002 trial, Joe was acquitted of another rape charge and one relating to oral sex.
His lawyer at the time, Val Nisbet, said Joe still had trouble believing the girl did not give consent.
Joe and the girl had gone to a dark park together and were kissing. A jury decided that the girl had withdrawn her consent at the time Joe had anal intercourse with her.
The judge in the case, Justice Gendall, said Joe was a strong man who was determined to have his way with a foolish young girl, who stupidly consented to going to a park with him.
Joe is a Pacific Islander, 180cm tall and of solid build.
Police say Joe has family and associates in the Porirua area. They are asking members of the public with information to contact Porirua CIB.
