By Susie Nordqvist
A sex offender has been forced to flee his central North Island home after a Molotov cocktail was thrown through his window.
Darren Kihi was supposed to be making a fresh start in Turangi, but instead became a target for residents outraged that a convicted paedophile was living in their community.
Taupo area commander Steve Bullock says the attack reflects poorly on the township.
“It's disappointing from a police perspective to see that it appears that members of the Turangi community have taken the law into their own hands,” he says. “It's let the community down and it's let us down and if we do find those responsible we will hold them accountable.”
Kihi spent eight years behind bars for sex offences including the drugging and violation of young boys.
He had worked nearby for two years before Corrections placed him in Turangi last weekend to be closer to his job.
Neighbour Sarah, who did not want her last name to be used, says she is concerned for the safety of her children.
“He offended on little boys. You know me being a mother of three living right at the back of him, with three boys, having to hang their clothes on our clothesline,” she says.
Fellow Turangi resident Tania, who also did not want her last name to be used, says that his presence raises questions about how safe the town is.
“Since the experience of having him here and we are told there are three other people living anonymously, it makes me wonder if it is a safe place at all,” she says.
But Corrections says that Mr Kihi is being closely monitored to minimise any risk of his reoffending.
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