The man who murdered a British backpacker in Mount Maunganui 30 years ago had nearly been released back into the community - until a "concerning" discovery set back his parole efforts.
On November 20, 1989, Monica Cantwell was walking on the northern summit track on Mauao. Charles John Coulam grabbed her, dragged her into the bushes and raped her. Cantwell was strangled to death and her semi-naked body was left in the bushes to be found three days later. Coulam was arrested shortly later and sentenced to life imprisonment for her murder.
Coulam, now aged 49, has faced several unsuccessful hearings after becoming eligible for parole in 1999.The board's 2016 decision noted Coulam as having an excessive compulsive disorder "with elements of sexual sadism and autism spectrum".
Last year, the New Zealand Parole Board said Coulam had been "well for many years", receiving medication and support. The board requested a forensic report to document Coulam's risk of reoffending ahead of his 2019 appearance. In this time, Coulam had begun a slow series of increasing overnight stays at a withheld address.
In the board's August 2019 decision, Sir Ron Young said Coulam was found accessing "increasingly explicit" pornography during the series of night releases.