A Dunedin man who nearly killed his then partner by stabbing her multiple times and hitting her with an axe is to be released from prison, but must live in the North Island.
Jerome Folimatama was sentenced in 2011 to jail for six years and four months for the attempted murder of his partner.
He was denied parole at his first hearing in February last year, after the Parole Board said his release address was not suitable as it was too close to his victim's address and that he there was still more work for the long-term cannabis abuser to do ''to come to terms with violent, obsessional responses in his relationship with female partners''.
The board noted then that his crime ''involved an appalling explosion of violence, intending to kill his then partner''.
The then 18-year-old picked up a kitchen knife and stabbed the 22-year-old mother of his infant son multiple times until the blade of the knife snapped.
She was then hit in the head with an axe, before Folimatama fled the South Rd home with the couple's three-month-old son.
As his victim lay bleeding and unconscious on the floor, her five-year-old son went to a neighbour to raise the alarm.
In a decision released this morning, the Parole Board said Folimata had now completed various rehabilitation programmes.
He would have to complete four pre-release maintenance sessions before he is released from prison on February 29, and four post-release maintenance sessions.
It noted Folimatama's behaviour had been "hugely impressive" following the completion of a programme that focussed on victim empathy, choices and communication.
"He was able to articulate extremely well the things that he had learnt on the programme. He showed insight and understanding to a level beyond any prisoner to appear before the convenor," the report said.
The programme facilitator reported Folimatama had positive attributes, had worked diligently, expressed remorse and was determined to make personal changes in his life.
Folimatama told the board at the January 21 hearing that he had learned skills and strategies to help protect him in the future.
"He is a young man who has committed a serious offence and has done some serious prison time. He has obviously done very well and his family are hugely proud of the progress that he has made," the report said.
"Mr Folimatama regrets deeply the offending, has genuine victim empathy and thinks about the incident often.
"His behaviour in prison is exemplary. Given all those factors, the Board considers that he does not pose an undue risk to the community."
Prior to his first parole hearing, the victim's mother said she feared for her daughter's safety if he was released.
Special conditions of Folimatama's release are that he must undertake counselling and other courses as directed, must not contact the victim, consume alcohol or drugs, or enter the South Island.
