Challenge over Wilson calls for rare bravery

IT IS quite some challenge that Pat Magill has thrown before the people of Wanganui.

The Napier 88-year-old has dedicated a chunk of his life to the notion that everyone deserves a second chance, and now he is looking for local people to join his quest to show that rehabilitation is so much better than punishment when it comes to the criminal classes.

He wants people to visit infamous sex offender Stewart Murray Wilson ... to pass the time with him, chat to him, maybe even have lunch with him, just as Mr Magill did last Friday. Mr Magill has offered to accompany them.

I have not delved too deeply into the crimes of Mr Wilson, but even a brief glance of the newspaper cuttings suggests they are on the dark side of abhorrent. He was jailed in 1996 for 21 years for serious sexual and violent offending against women and children, involving cruelty to children, stupefying adults and bestiality.

Paroled in December, he was "released back into the community" in March - the community being a house in the grounds of Whanganui prison where, now 67, he will likely see out the rest of his days.

His first parole, in 2012, sparked outrage that such a despicable character could be out in the community. His offending is such that it prompts the "Lock him up and throw away the key" response in many.

But now Mr Magill says Mr Wilson needs friends and community support and that Wanganui can set an example in its humane treatment - even of the worst among us.

Mr Magill insists he is no "do-gooder", but I would say he is a brave man with a big heart. And that would be true of anyone who accepts the challenge and decides to share some time with Mr Wilson.