Scammer to be kept in slammer
community services general manager Thunes Cloete said the council had issued 485 infringement notices for freedom camping between December 21 and January 8.
The council is employing 12 fulltime camping ambassadors to educate campers about where and how to camp responsibly, increase signage and provide real-time maps and updates through a joint venture with Campermate, New Zealand’s most widely-used free camping app.
‘‘Red Bridge is having high numbers and is monitored a lot by ambassadors. Kingston needs further development due to the high volumes going there,’’ Cloete said.
Fewer infringement notices were being issued in Hawea since the installation of six ‘‘no camping’’ signs around hot spots, he said. A convicted fraudster needs longterm psychological treatment before he gets a chance for release from prison.
Kim Michael David Barwell,
52, was sentenced to four years and one month in prison in
March 2018, for 60 charges of scamming an elderly couple out of
$91,000. He was denied parole after a hearing in October.
Before his sentencing in March, he had 58 pages of previous convictions, including 328 for obtaining by deception and
50 for other dishonesty offences. As Barwell had served 24 months in custody on remand he was eligible for release soon after his sentencing. However, a psychological report says Barwell needs individual treatment.
The Parole Board said the intervention was ‘‘essential’’ in prison because of the risk he posed to the community.
Barwell’s next parole hearing is scheduled for November 2019.