Paedophile McIntosh denied freedom

Serial paedophile Lloyd McIntosh will be supervised for the next decade after a landmark court decision deemed him too dangerous to be released into the community.

The High Court at Christchurch yesterday released a reserved decision imposing the maximum 10-year supervision order on McIntosh, 31, under new legislation to protect the public from serious offenders.

McIntosh, a serial sex offender, whose offences include the rape of a 23-month-old baby, had contested an order sought by the Department of Corrections for a 10-year supervision period, arguing it should be shorter. He was the first person to contest an order under the Parole (Extended Supervision) Amendment Act 2004.

In their written decision, Justices Graham Panckhurst and John Hansen said McIntosh's convictions were few but very serious.

McIntosh's current bail conditions will apply until the Parole Board sets special conditions for the supervision period.

He is currently residing at Christchurch Men's Prison on bail under conditions which expire in April, 2005.

The High Court decision comes less than six months after the department's attempt to settle McIntosh in a rural Canterbury community failed because of public outrage.

- NZPA