11 Feb 2017

NZ murderer to remain in UK jail

7:14 am on 11 February 2017

A New Zealand murderer described as evil by British police will remain in jail in Britain for at least another two years despite being due for deportation to New Zealand.

Inside Paremoremo Prison

The UK Parole Board has chosen to keep Richard Tait in jail there, despite his being due for deportation to New Zealand. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

Richard Tait is serving a life sentence for the 1998 rape and murder of his partner near Portsmouth, a crime committed while he was on parole for the rape and attempted murder of his wife.

British news reports from the time said he had brutally beaten his victim and taken pictures of her bound body.

Under British law, Tait should have been deported as soon as he was eligible for parole - regardless of whether it was likely to be granted.

But at a recent hearing the UK Parole Board chose to keep him in jail there.

There was a clause in the law that allowed the board to make an exception and keep offenders in the United Kingdom if their release would undermine public confidence in the justice system.

It is two years before Tait is due to have another parole hearing.

Corrections in New Zealand said if UK authorities decide to return him to New Zealand in the future, there will be significant planning between agencies in both countries to try to ensure the safety of the public.