KEY POINTS:
A teenage sex predator has been removed from a Napier home after the mother of a 5-year-old living next door caught him repeatedly in her backyard at night.
The mother and daughter left their home when the youth's criminal record was revealed.
The 18-year-old was convicted of sex crimes against children in 2005 and was moved to Napier by Child, Youth and Family about four months ago.
He was under a fulltime supervision order.
CYF deputy chief executive Ray Smith admitted the youth's "level of supervision required was not maintained".
The mother said the youth jumped her fence at least 14 times during the three weeks to April 30, when she confronted him after he came over again at night.
She first saw him when he threw a tennis ball over her fence, then climbed over to get it.
"I found him with his face pressed up against the window, looking in my house," the woman said.
The worried mother also spoke to the youth's caregivers and found out how much danger her daughter had been in.
The teenager was such a serious risk he was meant to be under 24-hour surveillance.
She said the police acted immediately, issuing him with a trespass order, but she was so frightened she and her daughter moved the next day.
She was angry and distraught that the youth had entered her property at will and had no doubt he was looking for an opportunity to be with her daughter.
"The only reason he didn't have an opportunity is because it's just me and my daughter and we are never far apart."
The mother said she had been "knocked over" with worry.
"He is supposed to have 24-hour care, seven days a week, and I never saw a caregiver. If he is such a risk why is he in the community?"
Mr Smith said it had been the youth's "last opportunity" to stay in the community and not go to jail.
He would appear before the court for the breaches and CYF would be looking into how he had been able to absent himself so frequently from his caregivers.
He said the youth was moved from the address as soon as they became aware he had breached his supervision orders.
- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY
