'The Beast' allowed around animals

Stewart Murray Wilson, the man dubbed The Beast of Blenheim. Photo / File

The man dubbed the Beast of Blenheim will be stopped from having contact with women or children under strict release conditions, but he could own pets.

The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is alarmed that none of Stewart Murray Wilson's release conditions stop him from being near animals, despite being convicted of bestiality.

The serial sex offender's parole conditions are amongst the harshest seen in this country - he will be forced to live in a house on Wanganui Prison grounds, outside the security perimeter, and will be continuously tracked by a GPS satellite when he is released from prison on September 1.

Wilson will be subject to 17 parole conditions that strictly curtail where he can go and who he can associate with - conditions the Corrections Department say are the most stringent ever imposed.

But SPCA chief executive Robyn Kippenberger told APNZ it was also vital he was kept away from any animal.

"He's had a conviction for bestiality and so it would seem to me that as his crime was against animals, they also are victims of his and so they should be considered and have protection from him.''

Ms Kippenberger said Wilson had also shown no remorse for his offending.

"There was a quip he said when somebody mentioned his bestiality charges and he said `It depends on how you define bestiality'. So what you've got is someone who is just denying his crime still.''

Wilson had shown "extreme perversion'' around animals and he should never be left alone with them, she said.

The SPCA would be asking the Corrections Department to prevent Wilson from owning a pet in their lease conditions.

It would also be asking the Parole Board to include a provision for him to be not allowed pets when they review his parole conditions in three months.

Ms Kippenberger said the condition was especially important because Wilson would not have access to women or children, so "animals are the next best thing'' and danger to them was therefore increased.

"I wouldn't let him within 100 miles of a dog.''

A Parole Board spokeswoman said the board felt the "extensively stringent'' conditions that were imposed would encompass any potential risks.

A Corrections Department spokeswoman said conditions on Wilson's lease of the department's house had not yet been decided.