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escalating violence in our community
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"Inch"
Murder of John Beamsley in Ashburton on Anzac Day 1975
Further assault charges on release in 1990 and again in 1998
Other miscellaneous charges while on parole for assault, spitting blood at a police officer, possession of morphine sulphate tablets for supply, possession of methamphetamine, minor traffic offences etc etc etc
John Beamsley
Road Knights
Born 1952
At large in the Ashburton district where he has a reputation for violence and intimidation
Was sentenced to life (seven years at that time) in 1975
Released in 1985 on parole, recalled to prison in 1990
Released again in 1993, recalled in 1998 after reoffending
Given an extra two years in May 1998
Has been paroled for the third time in March 2003.
Background
NZ Herald story here
From a Press article
"While on life parole he was twice recalled to prison to serve out a life sentence. On his last recall, in mid-1998, after being convicted on drug and assault charges, the Parole Board indicated he could be behind bars for a long time.
Prison and police officers were therefore surprised when Roulston re-appeared before the board this month and was given a March 31 release date.
One police officer, who did not want to be named, said Roulston's release was a concern.
"He's shown on every occasion in the past that he will reoffend ... I have real concerns that he will commit serious crime."
Roulston was first recalled to prison in 1990 after a conviction for attacking a man at a rugby function. He was released two and a half years later, subject to conditions, after the board decided he deserved another chance.
In 1993 he left Ashburton and moved to Timaru, where he rose through the ranks of the Road Knights gang. Roulston was then jailed for two years on drug and assault charges in 1998, prompting the second recall. The board chairman, the late Justice Richard Heron, said Roulston had done little in the way of rehabilitation, but his status would be reviewed annually.