Dunedin District Court. PHOTO: ODT FILES Just weeks after being commended by the Parole Board for his good behaviour, a baby killer had drugs delivered to his accommodation. Blair Murray Anthony Williams, 54, spent more than 20 years in prison after committing a campaign of sustained abuse on his partner’s child Kathleen Harris, which ended in the 7-month-old’s murder in Upper Hutt. Documents provided to the Otago Daily Times this week showed Williams received ‘‘excellent reports’’ on his progress in prison before the Parole Board allowed his release in October last year. In April, at a monitoring hearing, the killer was praised for his ‘‘good compliance and his initiative’’. The reports on Williams were so glowing, in fact, that the board opted not to schedule any further hearings. Just three weeks after that decision, though, the convicted murderer breached the rules of the supported accommodation where he was housed by disclosing its address and phone number to others serving sentences elsewhere. Four days later, Williams tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine. A drug test revealed the defendant had used amphetamine and methamphetamine while on parole. Williams said he had what he believed was the party drug ecstasy delivered to the residence and had consumed four pills before the drug test. He appeared in the Dunedin District Court last week where he pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching parole and was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment. The real consequence, though, was Williams was recalled to prison to continue serving his life term. His October parole report revealed the rationale behind his release. Williams had completed the drug treatment programme and undertaken one-on-one counselling during his lengthy stay behind bars. He had been living in Otago Corrections Facility’s self-care units and had been on guided release and shopping trips outside the wire. A family member of the victim said they were still in shock at what happened more than two decades ago. ‘‘She asked the board to convey with Mr Williams that he had not only killed a baby, but he had killed the happiness of a whole family,’’ board panel convener Serina Bailey said. The inmate stressed he appreciated the ongoing effects of his crime and his remorse was assessed by the board as genuine. Williams said he thought about the murder of the baby every day. The Parole Board also mentioned the prisoner’s skill in carving and noted some of his pieces were on display at the jail while others had been gifted ‘‘both within and outside Corrections’’. Williams said his sessions with a psychologist had ‘‘changed his view of life and helped him develop skills to reintegrate successfully in the community’’. He told the board he was planning to take it a day at a time. ‘‘Mr Williams believes he is ready to move forward on a different journey,’’ Ms Bailey said. After seven months of freedom, after his breaches, Williams has now spent the last month back in prison. He will see the Parole Board again in November. rob.kidd@odt.co.nz
