[STRONG CONTENT WARNING]
One of New Zealand’s worst sex offenders is behind bars tonight after being arrested for allegedly approaching Christchurch schoolgirls while serving a preventive detention sentence for sexual violence.
53-year-old Leo Darin Goodwin appeared at the Christchurch District Court on Tuesday and was remanded in custody.
The girls were asked for inappropriate favours in exchange for money, prompting police to send letters to 11 schools in Merivale and St Albans as part of their inquiries.
Police issued a media statement on Sunday, 20 days after first receiving reports of the man approaching female students in Merivale and St Albans.
Goodwin has multiple convictions for violence and rape against women.
In December 2006 he was convicted by a jury in the Hamilton District Court of abduction for sexual intercourse, sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection, and threatening to kill a 15-year-old girl.
In Paeroa in September 1996 he followed a woman home from a rugby club prizegiving at 2am. He struck her from behind with a wrench and raped her. During the ordeal he hit her several more times, including another blow that broke her nose.
Corrections Communities, Partnerships and Pathways Canterbury General Manager Chris O’Brien-Smith said in a statement this afternoon, “Corrections has today applied to the New Zealand Parole Board to have this person recalled to prison for breaching his release conditions. As you will be aware, he has been arrested and is in custody.
“This person was granted parole in March 2023. When an offender is granted parole by the New Zealand Parole Board they are required to comply with any conditions imposed by the Board. Community Corrections staff actively manage the person’s compliance with these conditions.
“Public safety is our top priority and if an offender released on parole breaches their conditions, or poses an undue risk to the safety of the community, a probation officer or police officer can apply to the Board to have them recalled to continue serving their sentence in prison.”
“The New Zealand Parole Board will determine whether a final recall is granted, which would mean he returns to prison.”
Detective Constable Andrea McDowell said in a statement “We want to thank the community for their caring response and for providing the information that helped us to identify the man. Reports like this are concerning and we hope the arrest brings some comfort to the community.”
It is also a good reminder for parents to:
- Educate children on how to keep themselves safe when they’re walking to and from school – to be mindful of their surroundings and not get distracted.
- Have open discussions around behaviours and actions that are inappropriate or that make a child feel uncomfortable.
- Reinforce that if they feel concerned for themselves or someone else’s safety, call 111 immediately.
Key timeline
• 1994 Australian conviction for threatening with a weapon with intent to have sexual intercourse.
• 1996 Paeroa rape. Sentence later reduced on appeal from fifteen years to twelve years.
• December 2004 Huntly abduction and sexual violation of a fifteen year old.
• February 2006 preventive detention imposed at Hamilton with a nine year minimum, following the 2004 offending.
• March 2023 parole granted.
• August 26th 2025: Christchurch arrest for alleged breach of release conditions after reports of approaching schoolgirls. Recall application lodged. Court appearance and remand in custody on 26 August.
