Thug breaks up with Bennett's daughter

News of the relationship received front page in the Herald on Sunday several months ago.

A violent thug who lived at Government minister Paula Bennett's house while awaiting trial has broken up with her daughter.

News of the split comes after Viliami Fotu Halaholo was denied parole a second time.

He was jailed in 2007, for wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and intent to steal by extortion after a brutal attack with a fence paling in Auckland two years earlier.

Before the trial he was bailed to Bennett's Auckland home because he was in a relationship with her daughter, Ana. The couple have a daughter, Tiara-Lee, together.

A spokeswoman for Bennett - who was an Opposition MP at the time - contacted the Herald on Sunday yesterday to announce the break-up but neither Bennett nor her daughter would comment.

The Parole Board heard in July that Halaholo's "behaviour" had improved over the previous month since he was transferred to a medium intensity rehabilitation programme.

The board said he needed to "consolidate" on that improvement before reappearing next year.

In January, the Herald on Sunday revealed Bennett had allowed the youth gang member to be bailed to her home. She was forced to reveal two undisclosed letters she wrote to a judge and the Parole Board in support of Halaholo.

His official release date is July 28, 2011.