Leaflets stressed paedophile

Leaflets circulated by police warning people about convicted paedophile Barry Grant Brown could have increased the likelihood of his re-offending, the Wellington District Court was told yesterday.

"When the offender feels shamed and stigmatised, then the chances of reoffending are likely to increase," psychologist and criminologist Gabrielle Maxwell told the court.

Brown 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 5-year-old boy.

Dr Maxwell said that judging by the evidence she had read, it appeared Brown's reintegration and rehabilitation had been adversely affected by the stress he was under as a result of police actions.

"My view is that the police actions were not likely to be effective."

Research showed continued surveillance and visiting of offenders were not effective ways to prevent re-offending, she said.

Crown lawyer Austin Powell questioned whether the argument that public exposure increased the likelihood of reoffending applied in Brown's case. There was "no suggestion" that he had reoffended against children since his release.

Dr Maxwell said offenders did not necessarily follow a pattern when they reoffended. Brown had assaulted a counsellor since his release.

She had not met Brown or spoken to him.

A former probation officer, Lorna Ramanui, told the court that Brown had moved to a council flat in Strathmore from Hankey St without her knowledge. He had apparently been at the new flat for some time before she found out, but it was possible he had contacted another probation officer about the move.

She was "to say the least concerned" when she saw the new flat.

"I noted that it was unfortunate that the flat was in close proximity to schools."

One of Brown's conditions of release was that he lived first in the Hankey flat with his support person and later in accommodation approved by the Community Probation Service.

Mrs Ramanui said it appeared police found out about Brown's new address before she did.

* Paedophile Barry Grant Brown, 39, is suing police for $80,000.

* He was outed in 2001 when police circulated leaflets including his photograph, physical description and information about his criminal background to residents of the Wellington suburb of Strathmore.

- NZPA