Mass murderer Ratima to stay in jail

Mass murderer Raymond Ratima will spend the next three years behind bars before parole is again considered for him.

Ratima was given a life sentence for killing seven people, including his three sons.

The Parole Board met earlier this month to decide whether Ratima would be subject to a postponement order.

At the hearing, Ratima's lawyer agreed with the board that there should be a postponement before the next parole hearing because there was considerable counselling, treatment and the strengthening of reintegration plans required, which would take considerable time.

He said the postponement order should be for a period of two years.

However, the board ruled the postponement should be for three years.

It said Ratima could apply at any time to the board for consideration of parole on the grounds that there had been a significant change in his circumstances.

In June 1992, Ratima, using a hammer and knives, killed his three young sons, his pregnant sister-in-law, her partner, their son and his teenage brother-in-law.

He then lay in wait for his wife and her parents to return home in Masterton, seriously injuring his father-in-law.

NZME.