Wed, 12 Jan 2005

Hon Tony Ryall National Party Law and Order Spokesman

McIntosh supervision cut irresponsible

The Government must not allow any cuts to the supervision of serial paedophile Lloyd Alexander McIntosh, says National's Law and Order spokesman, Tony Ryall.

He says the parallels with Barry Allan Ryder are frightening.

The Government cut Mr Ryder's level of supervision, against the advice of the community group supervising him. The then Corrections Minister agreed with the cut. Within days, Ryder went on to sexually abuse young children in Christchurch.

"Same place, same sort of offender, same risk," says Mr Ryall.

"When he was last under one-person supervision, Mr McIntosh attacked a young woman in his bedroom while his supervisor stood outside.

"He is a conniving individual who is more than capable of manipulating a sole supervisor.

"Corrections may think that the community will be safe, but the people supervising Mr McIntosh are understood to be concerned that the level of risk will increase dramatically.

"Official papers suggest that there has been no psychological assessment involved in this decision. The community organization involved has been muzzled by the Corrections Department.

"When Mr McIntosh was first released into Palmerston North, the Minster assured the public that they were safe. Those assurances proved hollow and they will again.

"Protection of the public is a core responsibility of Government. Phil Goff must act to prevent a repeat of the Barry Allan Ryder nightmare," says Mr Ryall.

ENDS

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