NZ’s first maximum three-strikes sentence handed down to Whanganui stabber

NZ Herald 21 August 2018
Family First Comment: Working as it should, and keeping families safe.
“I acknowledge that your sentence will be much harsher than I would otherwise have imposed, however, that will invariably be the case for a third-strike offence,” the judge said. “Parliament deliberately designed a harsh response to offenders who persistently commit serious offences despite clear warnings.

New Zealand’s first offender, a Whanganui stabber, to be given the maximum sentence available under the controversial three-strikes rule is the law working as it was intended, says Act Party leader David Seymour.

The sentence, imposed today by Justice David Collins in the High Court at Whanganui, comes as the Government holds its three-day criminal justice summit this week.

Minister of Justice Andrew Little expressed his desire to repeal the three-strikes law, which came into effect on June 1, 2010 after a deal with the National-led Government and Act Party.

The Labour-led Government, however, ditched its planned repeal of the law after objections by New Zealand First.

The three-strikes law requires a person convicted of a third serious violent, sexual or drugs offence to be sentenced to the maximum available sentence without parole, unless it would be “manifestly unjust”.
READ MORE: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?objectid=12110937&ref=twitter

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