Community outraged rapist to move in

Residents in the Kapiti coast community of Raumati are outraged a repeat rapist is set to move in, close to local schools.

Justin Ames Johnston, 39, was released from prison in August last year after serving more than 15 years for two rapes - one involving a woman, 26, in 1993 and the other a 15-year-old girl in 1994.

Kapiti police confirmed this week that he would be living in Margaret Rd, the same street as Kapiti College and around the corner from a primary school, the Dominion Post reported.

In December, Johnson breached the conditions and was returned to Rimutaka prison in December, where he remains.

He is due in Lower Hutt District Court on Monday to defend a charge of being unlawfully in a closed yard.

If and when he is released he plans to live with his sister in Margaret Rd.

Raumati residents met police yesterday to discuss their concerns.

Kapiti College principal Tony Kane said it seemed "spectacularly inappropriate" that Johnston could live so close to the school.

There had been no warning from police about Johnston's move, he said.

Kapiti-Mana area commander Inspector John Spence said police were working with the Corrections Department on the issue.

- NZPA