Leering prowler jailed

A prowler who often committed sexual acts as he leered at his victims has been put behind bars.

In Rotorua District Court on Friday Judge Russell Callender jailed Kevin Kewena Tamahou, a 39-year-old dishwasher from Turangi, who has been linked to 75 prowler complaints, for three years and nine months with a minimum non-parole period of two years.

He was convicted of 20 charges of burglary between January last year and May this year.

The court was told Tamahou would go prowling at night, going on to private properties.

Once there, he would watch the occupants through lounge and bedroom windows and on numerous occasions perform an indecent act before leaving undetected.

He was caught after DNA evidence was collected at one of the crime scenes in April.

Detective Constable Kevan Verry said Tamahou mainly targeted women and the elderly and terrorised the community with his actions.

"Turangi police are extremely satisfied with the result and fact that he was identified and arrested before he committed a more serious sexual offence," Mr Verry said.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)