James Whakaruru's killer breaches parole

James Whakaruru. Photo /Supplied

A man who beat a four-year-old child so badly he died has broken his parole conditions a month after he was let out of prison, The Dominion Post reported today.

Ben Haerewa, 32, was convicted of the 1999 manslaughter of his partner's son James Whakaruru, and served 12 years in prison before he was released on parole last December.

Haerewa had been jailed for beating the child two years earlier but the beatings continued and after a two-day attack, James died.

He was released from jail despite the Parole Board's concerns about the likelihood of him reoffending.

Before he was released the board expressed grave fears about his risk to the community, describing him as "violent" and "high-risk".

He was released under 11 conditions, including undertaking drug, alcohol, and psychological assessments, keeping away from gangs, and having no contact with anyone under 16.

The general manager of community probation services, Katrina Casey, said Haerewa had breached one of the conditions and reported the breach himself which resulted in a warning by the probation service.

She said he could not be recalled to prison but could be charged with breaching his bail conditions and could be jailed for to up to 12 months.

She would not give details about his breach of bail but said his release would be closely monitored.

- NZPA