Newspaper Article 1993 – Police scale down religious-sect probe

Police scale down religious-sect probe

Police are no longer actively seeking a self-proclaimed Jesus Christ who they believe tried to establish a religious sect at Eskdale.

However, the officer in charge of the Napier police crime control unit, Sergeant Allan Potter, said the man – thought to have left Hawke’s Bay for Tauranga – could be arrested if he tried to return to the Eskdale property.

Trespass notices have been taken out against the man and a  follower but have not been served because the man had not been located.

Mr Potter confirmed police “had an interest” in the man over another unrelated matter which could be expected to be resolved in due course.

Relatives said the man had travelled overseas as a “‘missionary” with his wife and young child. He moved into a unit at Beck House, formerly a Department of Social Welfare children’s  home and more recently the home of the Napier Cadet Academy, a rehabilitation programme for disadvantaged and at-risk youth.

The house is now occupied by a caretaker and some of the units are tenanted, contributing to keeping the property in reasonable condition while the academy sorts out the problems which forced it to end its programme.

One of two women who fled the property fearing for their safety today said she was still considering whether to return there to live. She said she had enjoyed being there until “strange things started to happen.”

The Daily Telegraph has been told the root of the problem no longer exists and the woman would be welcomed back by those who remain there.