18 Oct 2019

Child killer sentenced for spate of new offending

From Checkpoint, 5:44 pm on 18 October 2019

One of the country's most notorious child killers has been put back behind bars for at least six years for assault and sexual violation.

Benny Haerewa served 12 years in prison for killing his stepson - four-year-old James Whakaruru - in Hawke's Bay in 1999.

The Parole Board had grave fears about his risk of reoffending but he walked free in 2010 after serving his full sentence.

He was back before the court on Friday for a string of violent offences but as Katie Doyle reports - he could be freed again after escaping an indefinite jail term.