Christchurch schoolgirls approach and parole breach case

The story so far

Police warned 11 schools in the Merivale and St Albans areas of Christchurch in August 2025 about an older man on a bicycle who allegedly approached female students and offered cash for inappropriate favours after reports on 4 August.^{23, 25 Aug 2025} A 53-year-old man was arrested and was due to appear in Christchurch District Court.^{26 Aug 2025} Police said he was under a preventive detention order for sexual violence and allegedly breached its conditions by approaching girls under 16. He had previously received New Zealand's harshest criminal penalty for persistent sexual offending.^{26 Aug 2025; 17 Sep 2025} He was recalled to prison after being charged with breaching the conditions of the order, and one victim said he should not have been released.^{28 Aug 2025}

Latest

On 2 October the 53-year-old pleaded not guilty to breaching parole by allegedly approaching schoolgirls, appearing by audio-visual link.^{3 Oct 2025}

Key moments

1. 23 Aug 2025Police send written warnings to 11 schools in Merivale and St Albans.
2. 26 Aug 2025A 53-year-old man is arrested over approaches to schoolgirls.
3. 26 Aug 2025Man was under a preventive detention order, police say.
4. 28 Aug 2025Man recalled to prison after being charged with breaching order.
5. 17 Sep 2025Man appears in Christchurch District Court by audio-visual link.
6. 25 Sep 2025Parole Board issues final recall order; man deemed undue risk.
7. 3 Oct 2025Man pleads not guilty to parole breach.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.