Ruairi Kern Taylor (27) opted not to turn up for his final parole hearing last month, just as he did in June, and he had given up working with a psychologist.
The Parole Board had no choice but to allow his release from prison next month when his sentence of three years, three months expires.
Panel convener Judge Geoffrey Ellis imposed 18 conditions, lasting six months, which would limit Taylor’s movements, have him GPS-monitored and stop him from going within 500m of religious institutions.
On September 4, 2019, the man quit his job in Tapanui, bought a tomahawk in Gore, strapped a knife to his leg and drove off in his Subaru, looking for police.
He found Constable Steven Treloar sitting in his patrol vehicle after having pulled over a motorist.
The defendant blasted "religious music" on his stereo and slammed into the back of the officer’s stationary car before chasing the terrified officer with the axe, shouting "Allahu akbar".
Police found Taylor beside the patrol car, wearing a police hat and jacket, yelling excerpts from the Koran.
He later told a Corrections employee he had planned to decapitate his victim and wave the head around so he would be shot by other officers.
While serving his jail term, Taylor had spent time in the Auckland-based Prisoners of Extreme Risk Unit, which was designed especially for those with "extremist views" following Brenton Tarrant’s shooting spree in Christchurch in 2019.
More recently he had been transferred to Christchurch Men’s Prison and now had a minimum-security classification.
Judge Ellis said while Corrections’ algorithms put Taylor in the low-risk category, there were factors that "complicate the assessment of risk".
The inmate had supported accommodation lined up for his release and the prospect of future treatment.
But there was no certainty he would accept such help, Judge Ellis said.
Among Taylor’s release conditions were:
— To live at an address approved by Probation and comply with tenancy agreement.
— To submit to electronic monitoring.
— Not to travel south of the Rakaia River.
— Not to go within 500m of any religious institutions.
— To abide by a 10pm-6am curfew.
— Not to use any internet-capable device.
— Not to possess alcohol or non-prescription drugs.
— To attend any treatment as directed by Probation.
— To inform Probation of changes in employment status.
— Not to drive without permission of Probation.
— Not to possess firearms, airguns, BB guns, replica or imitation firearms, pyrotechnics or any weapon.
— Not to contact victim.
— To take any prescribed medication.
