Community concerned sex offender living by school

The decision to allow a sex offender who preyed on young girls to live close to the Apanui School community in Whakatane has sparked outrage from parents.

Apanui School has been inundated with calls since sending home a notice this week informing parents that the convicted sex offender was living nearby.

The man, a Caucasian in his late 30s, was released from prison last week to live with family very close to Apanui School and neighbouring Apanui kindergarten.

Apanui School principal Brian Robinson was alerted to the man's presence on Friday.

He said it was of serious concern to himself and staff, and he could not understand why the Corrections Department would allow the man to live so close to a school.

"It is like giving you a chunk of cake and saying you can't eat it - you just couldn't resist the temptation to have a bite or two."

In a notice to parents he said he did not wish to be alarmist, but the dangers of children being unsupervised were real.

"It is of prime importance that all children are accompanied to and from school," he said.

"They will be safe if supervised by an adult."

Teachers had been asked to reinforce the Stranger Danger and Keeping Ourselves Safe programmes in their classrooms.

The man served a full five years in prison in relation to various sexual offences against young girls.

According to the Parole Board, he became eligible for parole in August 2007 but he was declined every time since then and released at the very end of his sentence on conditions.

Communications manager Sonja de Friez said the man was released simply because it was required by law.

The release conditions, which last for six months, include not to communicate or associate with anyone under the age of 16 without the prior written consent of his probation officer.

The man was due to appear in the Rotorua District Court on June 4 when consideration would be given to the making of an extended supervision order.

Safer communities co-ordinator Peter Lander said there were issues of privacy as well as community good in matters like these, and it was a balancing act.

"The community has a right to know of possible danger, but we also have to balance how it is treated and give people a chance."

He said people should be alert but persecuting someone was taking it to the extreme.

"I do think people will behave better because people are alert to what is going on."

- NZPA