KEY POINTS:
The Parole Board has rejected a personal plea by Louise Nicholas to oppose in person the early release of convicted rapist Brad Shipton.
Shipton, who along with fellow ex-police officer Bob Schollum and millionaire Peter McNamara were convicted of a brutal pack rape of a woman in Mt Maunganui in 1989, has served three years of his 8-1/2 year sentence.
The board last month ruled that Schollum should stay behind bars as he was still a risk to the community and had an "arrogant view" of his role in the pack rape.
McNamara was freed on parole in January after serving 2-1/2 years of a seven-year sentence. The Sensible Sentencing Trust and the victim have asked for a judicial review of that decision, which will be heard in the High Court next month.
Ms Nicholas, who went public with rape claims against former police officers Shipton, Schollum and Clint Rickards four years ago, asked to appear before the Parole Board before yesterday's meeting, The Dominion Post reported.
Ms Nicholas said she had not heard back from the board and was shocked to find the victim's hearing into his release was held yesterday.
"It's completely unbelievable that the judge has rejected our request. She doesn't know what hell we have gone through."
The victim of the Mount Maunganui pack rape appeared before a Parole Board panel yesterday and spoke for nearly an hour, which included concerns Shipton would reoffend if he was released.
It was the fourth time the woman has appeared before the board to keep the rapists behind bars.
In a written submission to the board last month, Ms Nicholas said she feared retribution if Shipton was released.
"To serve an eight-year sentence and get out in three - it's fearful for us all," she told the paper.
Shipton was acquitted in 2006, along with fellow police officers Schollum and Rickards, of raping Nicholas in Rotorua in the 1980s. He was already in jail for the 1989 rape when the case was heard.
The Parole Board said yesterday the panel convenor had decided the board would be interviewing the registered victim and her nominated supporters."
The board said a decision on Shipton's release would not be made until next month.
- NZPA
