Alarm over molester’s parole
The release of disgraced Kapiti Coast artist and child molester Brendan Nolan has sparked violent threats online, and a plea from local mayors for calm.
Nolan’s release, revealed this week, caused unease in Kapiti and Porirua.
The Paekakariki man was jailed in June 2012 for sex offences against two young girls.
One of his victims, now a young woman, and her relative were concerned he might be released close to them, and about his potential ongoing risk.
The Parole Board attached conditions to Nolan’s release, including electronic monitoring, a 7pm to 7am curfew, and a ban on entering Paekakariki without a probation officer’s prior written approval.
But a social media firestorm erupted, with many voicing concerns that he had been released in Pukerua Bay, only eight kilometres south of Paekakariki.
On Friday, one of Nolan’s victims said social media ‘‘blew up’’ this week, and that locals should look after themselves.
‘‘I 100 per cent get where [they] are coming from. Just be on guard,’’ she said. ‘‘I believe he deserves every pain under the sun, but watch out for yourselves first. Worry about this bastard later.’’
Porirua mayor Mike Tana, whose district includes Pukerua Bay, and Kapiti Coast mayor K Gurunathan said they recognised the concerns but it was important to avoid vigilantism.
‘‘It’s something that everyone’s very polarised on,’’ Tana said. ‘‘We’ve actually been talking to Corrections about it. Corrections understand that this is an issue for us as a community.’’
Tana said it was important not to victimise those who shared Nolan’s surname, or imply they were connected to his offending.
It was important to ‘‘have some faith’’ in agencies tasked with monitoring Nolan.
There was ‘‘a history of agencies not getting it right in the past’’, but communities across the country faced similar situations, he said.
‘‘Even if we said he wasn’t in Pukerua Bay, it would mean another community would be looking for him there.’’
Agencies do not generally publish a paroled offender’s location, due in part to concerns about vigilante action and scuppering rehabilitation efforts. But police and Corrections may notify neighbours or agencies, such as schools, about the release of people with significant violent or sexual offending histories.
Gurunathan said there was ‘‘a lot of angst’’ in the community about Nolan’s offending and release. ‘‘It’s understandable that a community that has been hurt would be concerned. That’s the natural reaction.’’
But he urged residents to be cautious about making inflammatory statements on social media, especially when ‘‘inadequate information’’ was available.
‘‘The spirit of redemption is very important but I’m sure, on balance, Corrections would encourage the redemption exercise to be done [far] from the home of victims.’’