A convicted
paedophile, a fellow parole abscondee and an associate may be
hiding in the Arthur's Pass or West Coast area, police say.
Ivan Andrew Campbell, 47, who chained up a 14-year-old boy in
a cupboard for a week of sadistic sex 12 years ago, has been
hunted by police since he escaped from a Christchurch
residential facility last Wednesday.
He absconded from the Salisbury St Foundation with fellow
resident Jaydon Galland, 18.
The pair are believed to have met up with an associate who
police say goes by the name of Jamie Campbell, and is also
known as Alexander Paul Jones.
Police are urgently appealing for any information or
sightings of the men after a white Honda Civic, belonging to
Jamie Campbell, was found abandoned on a back road at
Klondyke Corner, near Arthur's Pass, on Saturday.
Detective Inspector Tom Fitzgerald said the three men may
still be in the Arthur's Pass area, or may have continued
towards the West Coast, where they were known to have
connections.
"We are urgently seeking assistance from the public and want
to hear from anyone in the area who may have seen these men,
or anyone matching their descriptions," he said.
"They may still be travelling, or they may have gone to
ground. Someone may have seen them in a vehicle or in and
around Arthur's Pass at some stage since late last week.
"It's vital that anyone who has seen these men, or any other
unusual or suspicious activity, comes forward to police
urgently."
Ivan Campbell was jailed for 14 years in 2001 for the
horrific attack the year before.
He was paroled to live at the Salisbury St Foundation in June
after serving 11 years of his sentence.
Police said both Ivan Campbell and Galland were high-risk
offenders and while they posed no specific threat, they
should not be approached.
The men were known to have connections in Christchurch as
well as in Ashburton and the West Coast.
Ivan Campbell is described as a Caucasian, 177cm tall, of
medium-thin build, with extensive tattoos on his face, neck,
and arms.
Galland is described as Caucasian, 177cm tall, of medium
build, with tattoos on his neck.
Jamie Campbell, aka Alexander Paul Jones, is a 25-year old,
Caucasian, tall, of slim to medium build with dark hair and a
beard. He is not believed to be related to Ivan Campbell.
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