Angry locals hound paedophile out of Patea

3-1-2009 New Zealand:

Angry South Taranaki locals have hounded a convicted paedophile out of the small town of Patea.

Residents discovered a man who had been convicted of sex attacks on teenage boys had been put on home detention in the town, TV3 News reported.

They said the man, who was serving the last six months of his sentence, was not welcome in town, which has a population of about 1200.

There was a march through the streets of Patea today, protesting the decision to move him to the town.

"The fact that he's at a high risk of reoffending and he has serial victims, that's why the town's rallied the way they have. We want our tamariki (children) safe," local woman Trish Martin said.

"We were told he's here because there's no where else for him, well that's not our problem," Ms Martin said.

Residents set up a 24-hour watch on the home that was housing the man.

Protesters said they were furious they had to find out about the sex offender themselves and there had been no consultation about his placement in a residential area.

This afternoon, police and the probation service moved the man because of the risk to his safety. ..News Source.. by NZPA