Harry Houkamau, whose beating of pensioner Nan Withers in 1997 prompted a wave of support for tougher sentences, will be released on parole next month.
Under the Criminal Justice Act 1985, Houkamau was required to be released after serving two-thirds of his sentence. He was sentenced in 1997 to 10 years' imprisonment for aggravated assault.
The Parole Board said yesterday that conditions for Houkamau's release, in place until July 7, 2007, include his undergoing a drug and alcohol assessment and anger management counselling, if directed. He is forbidden to make contact with the victim's family, who have been told of his impending release.
Mrs Withers' beating prompted a petition signed by 307,832 New Zealanders demanding tougher penalties for violent crimes. It led to a referendum in the 1999 election and subsequent law changes. She died in March 2002, aged 75.
Pensioner's attacker to be paroled
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