Curse the luck. Of all the places the Beast of Blenheim could live, many will be wondering why Wanganui?
The answer, in the minds of the authorities is quite simple: This is the only suitable place with not one of his 33 victims living close by. That won't help quellthe fears or disgust felt by most at arrival in three weeks of notorious sex offender Stewart Murray Wilson. News that he will be placed in a facility at our prison at Kaitoke has led to shock, dismay and outrage.
Wilson, 65, was jailed for 21 years in 1996 for sexual offending against women and girls including rape, indecent assault, stupefying, wilful ill-treatment of a child and bestiality.
He has spent 18 years in prison and now is due for release. But before we get too carried away, let's consider the circumstances of his release in three weeks. He will not walk free into our community. In fact, he will be subject to some of the most stringent conditions imposed on a parolee. These include such restrictions on his activities and movements as to effectively make him a prisoner, only not within the confines of jail.
And Corrections has been proactive in meeting with the mayor and spelling out what was happening and how monitoring would work.
Parole Board panel convener Judge John Macdonald said the paramount consideration had been the safety of the community. That doesn't make it any more palatable that a monster will soon be released into our community. While Wilson will not be able to roam free and will be accompanied by minders, it is possible we will rub shoulders with him while shopping.
Wanganui Mayor Annette Main is adamant he will never be part of our community. And that is the wish of those behind a public meeting to oppose the move.
Only time will tell whether there is a collective will within the community against the move and whether that is sufficient to overturn the decision.
