Judge reserves decision over outed paedophile

A judge has reserved his decision in Wellington District Court on whether convicted paedophile Barry Grant Brown's right to privacy was more important than public interest in his whereabouts.

Brown, 39, is suing police for $80,000 after he was identified in 2001 when police circulated leaflets with his photograph, revealing to neighbours that he was living in Strathmore, Wellington.

He has convictions for sexual offences dating back to 1982. His most recent conviction was in 1998 when he was sentenced to five years' jail for kidnapping and indecently assaulting a five-year-old boy.