Nervous watch on sex offender

Residents of a West Auckland suburb are nervously watching a sex offender who has been released from prison to live among them.

Ronald Van Der Plaat, 76, has returned to his Te Atatu home after serving nine years of a 14-year sentence for the rape, sexual violation and indecent assault of his daughter over 23 years. Tanjas Darke was kept as a virtual sex slave from the age of 9 when her mother walked out.

After the Parole Board decision to release Van Der Plaat, a community meeting was held.

"Community probation staff and police held a community meeting with neighbours explaining how he would be managed on parole, some general safety information and details as to who to contact if they have any concerns," said Darius Fagan of Community Probation and Psychological Services (CPPS).

He said several measures were in place to manage Van Der Plaat's release and his parole would be monitored closely.

"If he fails to comply with his parole order, or poses any risk to the community, appropriate action will be taken," Mr Fagan said.

This could include an application to the Parole Board for him to continue serving his prison term. A breach of parole could also attract a penalty of up to 12 months' jail.

Waitakere area commander Inspector Gary Davey said police would work with Corrections staff to ensure Van Der Plaat met his parole conditions.

"We will be ensuring that the community's safe and that he's safe."

But residents remain nervous.

One woman, who asked not to be named, said she was keeping a closer rein on the five preschool-aged children she cared for next door part-time.

"We used to come out and watch the rubbish trucks, but now we will definitely be holding hands," she said.

Her 17-year-old daughter had been told to be careful, particularly on the long, dimly lit driveway.

But authorities had assured residents that Van Der Plaat would be looked after for four years, she said.

At home yesterday, Van Der Plaat refused to open the door. "All I have to say is that you should think a little bit about people's family and friends and you should wait until my case has come back to court," he said.

When Van Der Plaat was tried in the High Court at Auckland in 2000, Ms Darke fought for name suppression to be overturned and described her father as "absolutely obsessed with sex".

By the age of 12 she had carried and lost her father's baby. At 16, she was forced into marrying him in a mock wedding ceremony and forbidden to call him "daddy".

She suffered neck and back damage from beatings, and has a pacemaker.

Ms Darke went on to write an autobiography, Flight of the Dancing Bird, and tell her harrowing tale on a TV documentary, To Hell and Back.