Caroline Bay child killer paroled for fifth time

Robin Pitney was 15 when he killed a young Timaru boy. Now he’s set to be released from prison.

Pitney, an inmate at Rolleston Prison, appeared before the Parole Board via-audio visual link on May 8.

Pitney was 15 when he fatally stabbed Leif Wulff, 11, at Caroline Bay in 1991.

Leif was attacked while walking home about 9pm on a Friday after shopping in central Timaru.

He was stabbed in the back, front, and on his hands, and died on the beach.

Pitney was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1992, and had been released on parole four times since but was recalled to prison each time due to new offending, including in 2017.

The Parole Board noted his previous breaches, and that his latest parole eligibility date was June 28, 2017.

In a decision earlier this year, the board granted his release for April 24, which would enable him to attend a six-month intensive rehabilitation programme.

But that was revoked due to the Covid-19 nationwide lockdown.

The rehabilitation programme was now offering Pitney another place later this month, subject to the board’s approval.

The board noted Pitney was ‘‘enthusiastic’’ about taking up the offer, and his release date was changed to May 26.

His conditions would remain the same as in the earlier decision, which required him to be electronically monitored, not move to another address without gaining prior approval, and to attend a psychological assessment.

Pitney would also need to disclose any new relationships, and not consume any drugs or alcohol, the board said.