The return of sex offender Stewart Murray Wilson's to prison will bring "great comfort" to the city's residents, says Whanganui Mayor Annette Main.
Wilson, dubbed the 'Beast of Blenheim', was returned to prison yesterday after allegedly contacting a person he was not allowed to, under his strict parole conditions.
He had been out of prison for not quite six months after serving 18 years for sex offences against women, children and animals. He has been living in a property on the grounds of Whanganui Prison.
"I guess for us it endorsed what the Department of Corrections told us at the time, that any breach of his parole conditions would mean that he would return to prison," says Ms Main.
"I am happy that has actually happened in the way they said it would."
Ms Main said she believed it was the first time Wilson had breached his parole conditions, among the strictest in New Zealand history, which include an extensive supervision order, wearing a GPS tracking device and not contacting anyone under 16 without adult supervision.
"It was a part of his parole conditions that he wasn't able to telephone certain people," says Ms Main. "I don't know who he's telephoned, but obviously it's of concern to the department, enough to return him to prison."
Former mayor Michael Laws, who tried to stop Wilson's release in Whanganui this morning tweeted: "Stewart Murray Wilson ... WE TOLD YOU SO!"
Wilson is believed to be appearing in court again this morning.
3 News
source: newshub archive