Sex offender found on Korean ship

Press, 7 September 1984, Page 5

Sex offender found on Korean ship

PA Wellington A sex offender who escaped from Auckland’s Oakley Hospital has been arrested in Australia after stowing away on a ship from New Zealand. Paul Massof, aged 25, was discovered aboard a vessel at Newcastle and was in Long Bay jail, Sydney, after his arrest, according to a statement from the Interpol office at the New Zealand Police National Headquarters yesterday. He would soon be deported under escort to New Zealand. Massof, who on Wednesday was described as dangerous by the Christchurch police, escaped from Oakley Hospital’s security ward on August 12. News of his escape was not made public until this week because hospital authorities did not think he was dangerous. In 1980, Massof was jailed

for wounding with intent In 1982 he was jailed for five years for stabbing a woman and indecently assaulting her. He escaped while awaiting trial and an hour later assaulted another woman.

News of his escape was leaked to the Auckland “Star” by a hospital staff nurse who feared for the safety of the public. However, Dr Fraser McDonald, the acting head of Oakley Hospital, said this week that Massof was not dangerous and that people were over-reacting to ' the news of the escape.

Australian immigration officials said that Massof was discovered aboard the South Korean-registered vessel Swibon as it sailed between New Zealand and Newcastle.

The ship arrived in Newcastle on Saturday. It is believed that Massof will be returned to New Zealand on Tuesday.