Family First slams paedophile bail decision

OneNewsNow 19 December 2015
Family First NZ says Judge Anna Johns’ decision exposes flaws in New Zealand’s bail laws.

“A situation like this simply re-victimises the child and is hugely traumatic for the family trying to recover from the offences committed previously,” national director of Family First Bob McCoskrie says.

“This sends a message to the community that the rights of offenders are greater than the rights of victims.

“For this horrific child abuse, the offender receives a punishment of celebrating Christmas at home, while the abuse will impact the child for the rest of their life.

“As a community, we are trying to say that the abuse of our young and most vulnerable is completely unacceptable and that our responsibility as adults is even greater around these young children – yet the consequences given out by the courts are completely undermining that message.”

Family First NZ will seek permission from the family to write to the Solicitor General and also the Minister of Justice requesting a review of the decision.
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/family-first-slams-paedophile-bail-decision

Bail decision ‘idiotic’
NZ Herald 19 December 2015
A man found guilty of sexually abusing his neighbour’s granddaughter when she was 8 has been bailed to live at home – up a shared driveway and just 30m from where his victim lives – until sentencing in June.

His sentencing has been delayed until after a second trial next year in which he will stand accused of offending against another child.

The first victim, now 10, and her family see the man most days and say their Auckland home has become a prison and “an absolute hell” because of the judge’s decision.

The man, in his 70s, has name suppression. That was granted because he lives next door to the victim, who has automatic and permanent name secrecy due to the sexual nature of the charges.

VICTIM ADVOCATES: Judge’s decision wrong
Family First NZ said Judge Johns’ decision was “idiotic”.

“A situation like this simply re-victimises the child, is hugely traumatic for the family trying to recover from the offences committed previously, and sends a message to the community that the rights of offenders are greater than the rights of victims,” said spokesman Bob McCoskrie.

“Bail is a privilege, not a right – and it should not be granted at the expense of the victims and their families.

“For this horrific child abuse, the offender receives a punishment of celebrating Christmas at home, while the abuse will impact on the child for the rest of her life.”

Family First NZ is seeking permission from the victim’s family to write to the Solicitor-General and the Minister of Justice requesting a review of Judge Johns’ decision.

“The justice system in New Zealand is perpetuating the problem of child abuse by handing out ‘wet bus ticket’ decisions and sentences in response to cases of serious child abuse,” Mr McCoskrie said.

“It appears that the justice system in New Zealand simply doesn’t value the welfare and protection of our vulnerable young children – based on this decision. Put simply, it is an idiotic decision.

Ruth Money, who helps victims through the court process, said Judge Johns’ decision was “an absolute disgrace”.

“The facts of this case are overwhelming – she has absolutely made the wrong decision.
“The decision shows she has not learned anything from the Christie Marceau case and bail amendment bill changes that happened as part of that.”

Christie, 18, was killed by Akshay Chand in 2011. Months before he stabbed her to death at her home, while her mother desperately tried to call police, he had been charged with kidnapping her.

Despite protests from the police, Christie and her family, Judge David McNaughton granted Chand bail to a house within view of the Marceaus’ home.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11563391