Whanganui locals fight "Beast's" arrival

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Whanganui locals fight "Beast's" arrival

3News NZ

Hundreds of locals gathered at the meeting in Whanganui this evening

Hundreds of locals gathered at the meeting in Whanganui this evening

By Janika ter Ellen

A public meeting has been held in Whanganui tonight to allay the fears of residents who are angry at the decision to release the “Beast of Blenheim” into their community.

It did not have the desired effect though, and anger and fear were rife as close to 300 residents packed the hall.

They do not want high-risk offender Stewart Murray Wilson parolled at a house to be built on Whanganui Prison grounds when he is released on September 1.

He was jailed in 1996 for a number of sex charges against women and children.

There are 17 strict conditions around Wilson’s release.  He will be accompanied by two people if he leaves his house, and will be monitored by a GPS ankle bracelet 24 hours a day.

Those measures did little to reassure residents, with many leaving as angry as when they arrived.

The District Council will hold a special meeting too look at any legal options they have to stop the arrival of Stewart Murray Wilson in two weeks.

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Comments

16/08/2012 5:11:28 p.m.

m wrote:

Bring back the death pentalty for these parisites and stop wasting the tax payers money !!!

16/08/2012 1:55:59 a.m.

ajs wrote:

What 'the beast' did was abhorent and one cannot blame the residents for their reactions. However, here is the dilemma: we have 'trial by media', whereby we ALL know what is going on with absolutely everything and make our own judgements; then, we have a guy who has 'served his time' (the beast) according to our justice system. So, he has had his punishment and is, essentially, a card carrying New Zealander, whereby the duty of the government is to protect him (like the rest of the citizens) and he must be allowed to live SOMEWHERE in 'his' country - NZ - as is his and every citizen's right. However, there are those that do not want him near THEIR neighbourhood. Then, when the state builds him special houses and makes alternative provisions, they will be (as usual) accused of 'wasting' vauluable money on him. Question: Is there ANYBODY that can win from this situation? Next question: How do we get ourselves into these messes?