The so-called Beast of Blenheim, Stewart Murray Wilson, will have to wait until a a day or two before his scheduled prison release for a High Court challenge of his parole conditions.
Wilson, 65, is due to be released next week to live in a house in the Whanganui Prison grounds after being jailed in 1996 for 22 sex charges against women, children and animals over 25 years in Blenheim.
During a brief court hearing in Christchurch on Monday morning, Justice Joseph Williams said Wilson's challenge would need to be held in Wellington early next week, if possible, after being told Wilson is due to be released on Wednesday August 29.
Justice Williams gave Wilson's counsel Andrew McKenzie until the end of Tuesday to file evidence. Then the Department of Corrections and Parole Board have until noon on Friday to file their replies.
A lawyer representing Whanganui District Council was in court as an observer.
The council, which is opposing Wilson's release in its area, was told to present evidence by Tuesday if it wanted to be included in proceedings.
Wilson's 17 parole conditions are the strictest in New Zealand history and include wearing a GPS tracking device, not contacting anyone under 16 without adult supervision and not associating with females at his address.
NZN
