Violent offender being released three years early

A high-risk violent offender who used a child as a human shield during an armed stand-off with police in Otago will be released from prison this month after more than six years behind bars.

Christopher Daniel Shaw (32) was jailed for nine years and 11 months in 2009 after he and then partner Stacey Estelle Snelleksz embarked on a 600km crime spree which ended in an armed stand-off with police near Palmerston.

The pair fled the North Island after learning Snelleksz's two children might be removed by Child, Youth and Family and stole goods worth up to $45,000, resulting in the pair facing more than 100 charges.

The Parole Board confirmed yesterday Shaw would be paroled this month, three years earlier than his statutory release date of January 3, 2019.

The board's decision said Shaw had two prior jail terms, more than 120 convictions and had a 70% risk of being re-imprisoned once released.

Shaw had only been recently released from prison when he embarked on the crime spree with Snelleksz.

During their three-day run from police the pair stole a Land Rover, committed numerous other burglaries and thefts, evaded police during a high-speed pursuit and Shaw shot at police with a stolen .22 rifle.

Snelleksz, who was driving, crashed the vehicle into a tree.

During a depositions hearing, police told the Oamaru District Court they believed Shaw used one of children, who accompanied the pair on their flight, as a ‘‘human shield'' while brandishing the rifle at police.

The pair surrendered after being surrounded by armed offenders squad members more than two hours after the crash and after fleeing police through the countryside.

‘‘The board has given considerable thought to Mr Shaw's future,'' the parole board said.

‘‘He is a high-risk offender whose ... offending included very serious violent offences.

‘‘On the other hand he has participated diligently in the rehabilitation and reintegration activities to date in prison, and there is evidence from a number of sources that he has undergone a process of significant change over the last seven years. Having regard to that progress we have, by a majority, determined that the proposal before us is sufficient to manage his risk to the safety of the community for the balance of his sentence.''

The board did not disclose his exact release date, but did disclose his parole conditions, which include alcohol and illicit drug prohibition, a daily curfew of 10pm to 6am, a firearms prohibition and an order not to contact or associate with Snelleksz.

His release location was not disclosed in the board's decision, but the Otago Daily Times understands he is excluded from living in any areas where he offended and will live in the upper North Island.

The decision said Shaw would be one of the first participants in a new programme to reintegrate male offenders. However, it did not provide details of the programme.

‘‘Mr Shaw sees this as allowing him to make a fresh start in a supportive environment,'' the board said.

Shaw would work towards gaining qualifications during his time in the programme.

He had already participated in a drug treatment programme and specialised programme for serious violent offenders while in prison.

A spokeswoman for Child, Youth and Family declined to comment yesterday when asked about the government agency's involvement with Snelleksz or her children. She is understood to have been released in 2010.

A hearing to assess Shaw's compliance with his parole conditions will be held in July.

timothy.brown@odt.co.nz

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