Whanganui residents should have been consulted about the serial sex offender dubbed "the Beast of Blenheim" being released into their community, says Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia who is set to become his neighbour.
The Corrections Department last week announced Stewart Murray Wilson will be released from prison at the beginning of September to live in an old state house that is being moved onto land owned by Whanganui Prison in Kaitoke.
The 65-year-old, who experts fear will reoffend, will be subject to three years of parole conditions that will control his movements and who he associates with, and he will also be subject to GPS tracking.
The announcement has sparked a backlash from locals, and Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia - who is the MP for Te Tai Hauauru, which encompasses Whanganui - says the lack of consultation prior to Corrections' decision is worrying.
She believes communities deserve to know when "inmates of his nature" are being re-housed in their midst.
"This issue is really about how all the residents of Whanganui will feel about having somebody who's never ever admitted the wrong that he's done despite 42 different women being involved," Mrs Turia told media.
"I think that's appalling in itself and I believe that that's why the community do feel seriously at risk.
"He's got to go somewhere, the law says that he has to be released from prison, and I guess that people need to have comfort that their rights and their safety will be protected."
Responding to an email from a concerned Whanganui District councillor on the weekend, Mrs Turia signed off with "Tariana Turia, Pauri Rd, Kaitoke" - the same road Wilson will live on when he is released into the community.
She said there should also be huge concerns about Wilson's own safety, "given the feelings in the community".
A public meeting will be held in Whanganui on Wednesday to discuss locals' concerns about Wilson's release.
NZN
