Concern over rapist living near school

A man who raped a child remains living near an Upper Hutt primary school, despite concern from its principal and officials' claims that he has moved.

The Dominion Post reported today that the Community Probation Service says the rapist is no longer at the address, 100 metres from the school.

But his daughter confirmed he was still living there, despite community concerns and the school's attempts to have him moved.

The newspaper said the man -- jailed for eight years for raping a girl under the age of 16 -- had been living near St Joseph's School for at least two months.

He was outed by a pamphlet drop to residents who live near the school.

The move prompted the school to call an urgent meeting with the probation service six weeks ago -- with officials promising to shift him.

Principal John Young also met the man to seek an assurance he would not go near the school at any time, but "the probation service couldn't give us an absolute guarantee".

The school had also stepped up safety measures to protect pupils.

When contacted by The Dominion Post, Probation Service Wellington area manager Gill Hood said the man had been moved from the address last week.

But his daughter confirmed he continued to live with her at the property rented in his name. He had gone to his sister's house "for a few days" but was expected back, she said.

Ms Hood, when told this, said the probation service was confident the man was now living elsewhere.

"We will continue to closely monitor the offender's compliance with his release conditions, and particularly his residential arrangements."

Ms Hood said it had been difficult to find accommodation for the man, given he could not live close to schools, playgrounds, young girls living at an address or multi-storeyed flats where children lived.

However, the newspaper reported he had been living about 100 metres from the school in a two-storeyed apartment block where children also live.

Upper Hutt police area commander Inspector Brett Kane said the issue was a matter for the probation service. He was "definitely of the understanding" that they had moved the man to Wellington temporarily until permanent accommodation could be found.

- NZPA