By Emma Jolliff and 3 News online staff
A heated public meeting has been held in Whanganui, protesting against the decision to release the “Beast of Blenheim”, Stewart Murray Wilson, to the outskirts of the city at the end of the month.
Stewart Murray Wilson, 65, was jailed for 21 years in 1996 for sexual and violent crimes that took place over a 25-year period.
“We have a message for the Government: if you want to look after Stewart Murray Wilson, you look after him in your backyard,” says councillor Michael Laws.
The anger was palpable, as more than 200 Whanganui residents attended a public meeting to express their disgust at high-risk sex offender Stewart Murray Wilson being released into their community.
The serial sex offender will live on prison property in Whanganui when he is released from prison this month.
The list of horrific crimes include rape, assault, bestiality and the ill-treatment of children.
He has only served 18 years of his sentence and has been assessed as having a high-rate of re-offending.
Mr Laws says he's not a defeatist, an appeaser or an apologist for bad decisions. He wants a mandate from the people of Whanganui to fight the decision.
One resident says he's disgusted the mayor is allowing scum to come to their town.
Mayor Annette Main wasn't at the meeting to respond to that comment, but Michael Laws and six other councillors were there.
“He is Corrections’ gift to Whanganui,” says Mr Laws.
Parole for Wilson is due to begin at the end of this month. There are 17 strict conditions, including GPS monitoring.
While Wilson's lawyer is challenging the conditions, residents are challenging the release itself.
Councillor Jack Bullock believes Wilson's life will be under threat.
“Plenty of people want to kill him,” he says.
Councillor Ray Stevens says this is “stage one” from Corrections, and soon Whanganui will be filled with homes for sexual perverts.
Mr Laws is confident there are plenty of options to challenge the decision, from political influence, to a possible judicial review and even slowing the consent process Corrections requires to house Wilson.
One councillor says the council doesn't condone vigilantism; they just don't want Wilson in their town.
The council will hold an urgent meeting this week.
3 News
source: newshub archive
