Wickliffe release likely

Convicted killer Dean Wickliffe is likely to be released from jail to look after his dying partner.

The life parolee, who served 15 years for the manslaughter of a Wellington jeweller before his release in 1987, had been recalled to jail in March after being charged with drug, firearms and driving offences.

The Parole Board said Wickliffe would be released, but kept under electronic monitoring, provided he was granted bail on those charges.

His long-time partner, sickness beneficiary Dionne Chapman, is terminally ill with breast cancer. The board said he had been her primary caregiver.