Child sex offender arrested in West Coast

Darren Albert Jolly outside his then Dunedin address in 2016. Photo: ODT
Darren Albert Jolly outside his then Dunedin address in 2016. Photo: ODT
A convicted child sex offender, who once lived in Dunedin, has been arrested in the West Coast.

52-year-old man Darren Jolly was arrested by police in Westport this morning over warrants to arrest for allegedly breaching his probation conditions.

He appeared in Greymouth District Court today.

On Friday, Auckland police appealed for sightings of 52-year-old Darren Jolly, who they said was "actively avoiding" authorities.

A police spokeswoman said there had been confirmed sightings of the sex offender in Hector, in northern Buller, and this information was being followed up by local police.

Jolly has more than 110 convictions for sex with underage girls, indecent sex acts, fraud, theft, assault and dangerous driving.

He is subject to a 10-year extended supervision order which is due to expire in 2023.

Jolly was released to Dunedin in 2016, prompting some City Rise schools to warn pupils and their families about a sex offender being in the area.