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Archived Press Releases 2004 20th December 2004

Throw the key away say Trust

(20th December 2004)

A burglar described by a Judge as a professional criminal is a perfect candidate for the American system of “Three Strikes and you are out” say the Sensible Sentencing Trust.

Trust spokesman Garth McVicar was commenting after 30 year old Anthony John Billington appeared in the Hastings District Court for committing three more burglaries after being freed earlier this year after serving only a third of an 18 month jail sentence for previous burglaries.

“This guy has spent half his life in jail and yet he still managed to amass 176 previous convictions and 14 jail terms, so why not grant him his wish and throw the key away.”

Judge Rae sentenced Billington to 6 years on each of the three burglaries but current legislation means all terms will be served concurrently, and he will be eligible for parole after just 4 years.

“The sentence this career criminal received makes a mockery of the term justice; he has already caused all sorts of mayhem and devastation to hundreds of people. This guy is a classic candidate and reason for the existence of the Sensible Sentencing Trust. Judges must be given legislation and power to protect the community from recidivist hard core offenders in all categories of crime”.

"Our politicians talk about the need to protect the community, we now need legislation to back the words,” said Mr McVicar.

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.