Residents force paedophile out
Olympic star NickWillis is the early favourite to win the Hutt Valley Sports Awards.
In winning bronze in the 1500 metres at Rio, the former Hutt Valley High School student made history by becoming the event’s oldest medallist at 33.
With two Olympic medals and a Commonwealth bronze, Willis now ranks alongside cricketer John Reid and softballer Mark Sorenson as Lower Hutt’s greatest sportspeople.
Although he has lived in America for many years, his family still live locally and he remains very much a Lower Hutt boy.
He returns regularly and always refers to himself as a proud Lower Hutt resident, often training with local athletics clubs.
His brother Steve and father Richard travelled to Rio towatch his success. The rest of his NewZealand family, and wife Caro, watched from the family Residents have won the battle to get a child-sex offender moved out of a Lower Hutt neighbourhood.
The Department of Corrections confirmed it had temporarily relocated the offender from Maungaraki to a residence on the grounds of Christchurch Men’s Prison yesterday morning, adding that when he is relocated - it will be somewhere else in the Wellington region. home in Lower Hutt.
In winning bronze, Willis earned himself a special place in history as the first NewZealander to win two Olympic medals over the distance.
Hutt Valley High School principal Ross Sinclair said everyonewas thrilled with the result andWilliswas a source of inspiration for the students.
‘‘He has been a close supporter of the school to the extent he gave us his Commonwealth Games medal to display. As a community we are very proud of him.’’
Mayor RayWallacewas also delighted. ‘‘It was an outstanding achievement. Nick has been a role model for years and is a really great sports legend and an inspiration to our young people.’’
‘‘It’s huge. It’s a big celebration at the news.’’
One family had fled their home in fear after learning of the threetime child-sex offender’s placement there.
The decision was made after the offender’s accommodation provider noted the community’s concerns, Corrections National Commissioner Jeremy Lightfoot said.
‘‘The relocation of this offender became necessary as our service provider’s staff had became increasingly uncomfortable with the community’s reaction to their presence. Because of this, the service provider regrettably terminated its contract early.’’
Lightfoot confirmed the offender had already gone and would be managed in prison grounds in the interim while the department considers where best to place him.
He confirmed the decision was made after the offender’s community housing provider pulled out of the arrangement, and also after meetings with the community and political figures.
Labour MP Trevor Mallard called it a ‘‘major victory’’ for the community but said he wanted to find out where the man was going next to ensure he did not become another community’s problem.
National MP Chris Bishop said Maungaraki residents were relieved at the announcement.
‘‘It’s huge. It’s a big celebration at the news.’’
He said the result showed what communities could do when they spoke out about their concerns.
‘‘The site was just so inappropriate - it’s hard to think of a worse place for someone to be. The community has been very strong in their opposition.’’