Photo: Pool / John Kirk-AndersonConvicted double-murderer Scott Watson has been declined parole for a fifth time, with the parole board suggesting he address a number of their concerns ahead of his next appearance later this year. Dressed in a standard-issue prison uniform grey tracksuit, Watson sat alongside his lawyer Kerry Cook at the hearing on Friday. "If I disregarded my safety plan, I think in no time I would just fall over, flat on my face." She said specialised assessment would help to better understand the personality aspects of Watson's risk, which informed what he was capable of and the approach taken for his release. Watson is due to reappear before the parole board in November.


Source:   Otago Daily Times
January 31, 2026 11:09 UTC