By Jeff Hampton
The rapist known as the 'Beast of Blenheim’ was back before a judge today – as the Department of Corrections grappled with its fears about him being released back into the community.
Now pension-aged, Stewart Wilson was beamed into court today from Rolleston Prison by video, the first time media have seen his image since 1996.
Even then he fought it, unsuccessfully asking the judge to disallow filming of him on screen.
But 3 News was permitted to show portions, including his objections to suggestions he'd written a story about a forceful sexual encounter between a horse and a girl, called "animal antics."
“I definitely did not write it,” says Wilson.
“I've read it today and I'm thoroughly disgusted with it and I've asked the officer with me to destroy it, and when he had a view of it he said it was likely to have been from the likes of a Playboy or something like that, but I've never read them so I wouldn’t know,” he says.
The story, written on his typewriter, was found in his cell more than a decade ago. A Corrections psychologist believes it's still significant because it shows his sexual deviancy.
Wilson's never sought help, and objects to his 21-year sentence for gross sexual misconduct including multiple rapes, bestiality, stupefaction, and willfully ill-treating a child.
He must be released in September. Although he'll be watched for 3 years after that, Corrections wants an additional decade of monitoring, saying he's a danger to women and children.
Psychologist Jane Freeman-Brown said last year he was caught masturbating in front of a female guard.
“He would have been 64 at that stage, so at 64 he's still displaying sexually inappropriate behaviour,” says Dr Brown.
Justice Lang says he'll decide on the case within a week.
On release Wilson is likely to be fitted with the latest GPS tracking equipment, and while today's hearing wasn't about that, Corrections have indicated he's a prime candidate.
3 News