Policeman faces action over paedophile leaflet

A Christchurch police officer faces disciplinary action after his wife was involved in a leaflet drop about a convicted paedophile that sparked vigilante action against the man's sister.

The woman's suburban North New Brighton house was targeted by vigilantes late last month after it was revealed that her brother, convicted child-rapist Colin Davies, was seeking release from prison on home detention.

She was forced to leave her rented home after rocks were thrown through her window and that of a neighbour's house, her front lawn was set ablaze and condoms filled with red dye thrown onto the property.

Police began an investigation after they learnt that two women, including a policeman's wife, initiated a drop of hundreds of leaflets suggesting a dangerous sex offender was about to move into the house in Britannia St, North New Brighton.

Selau Ifopo-Sumner and flatmate Mandu Karatau-Keightley, whose husband is Rangiora policeman Geoffrey Keightley, distributed pamphlets around 12 streets near Britannia St.

The pamphlet warned that "men, women and children" were at risk from Davies and asked: "What would you do to stop him from coming?"

Canterbury police district commander Superintendent Sandra Manderson said today a preliminary report on the incident had been completed and disciplinary action against the constable was being considered.

"Police were conducting inquiries relating to the possible placement of Davies on release," Ms Manderson said.

"In this instance a constable living in the neighbourhood was approached to gather information on the area."

Ms Manderson said police accepted that the constable had "inappropriately passed the information on to his wife".

- NZPA