Former gang leader denied parole for murder of ex-girlfriend
Monday 12 October 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story Supreme Court, New Zealand Parole Board
James Henry Wilson, the former president of the Filthy Few motorcycle gang, has been refused parole. Both the Parole Board and his legal team agreed that further work is required, including the completion of a pending psychological report.
Key facts
4 facts
- James Henry Wilson was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2000 for murder.
- Wilson was acquitted of the 1987 murder of Chris Bush in July.
- Wilson is due for a parole hearing in late November.
- Wilson holds a minimum security classification.
The full story
1 min read · 2 outlets
James Henry Wilson, the former president of the Filthy Few motorcycle gang, has been denied parole. Both his legal team and the Parole Board agreed that "further work" is necessary before a decision can be made. This includes waiting for a pending psychological assessment and a parole assessment report.
Wilson is serving a life sentence for the 1999 murder of his ex-girlfriend, Jo-Anne van Duyvenbooden, in Tauranga. He also received concurrent sentences for manufacturing methamphetamine and obstructing the course of justice. The board noted it has been 10 years since Wilson had a full psychological assessment.
The Parole Board met with the family of Jo-Anne van Duyvenbooden, who requested that Wilson be barred from entering the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions upon release. Wilson is scheduled to appear before the board again in late November.
Following a Supreme Court acquittal in July regarding the 1987 murder of Chris Bush, Wilson and Mark Hoggart are seeking costs from the Crown. Wilson's lawyer argued that the Crown failed to disclose material regarding a witness's credibility.
Compiled from reports by RNZ and Otago Daily Times.