A man convicted of murdering a Christchurch toddler by suffocation 20 years ago has been denied a prison release.
Luke Sibley is serving life for killing three-year-old Brittany Crothall while she slept at her home in New Brighton, and for the attempted murder of the child's mother.
The Parole Board said Sibley was just commencing the reintegration phase of his sentence.
He had restarted extended one-to-one psychological counselling.
Board convenor Justice Gendall said Sibley had a lengthy reintegration process ahead and any release on parole would be premature.
He will appear before the board again in August next year.
