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Archived Press Releases 2006 24th September 2006

"Bail Failure" allows more sexual abuse

(24th September 2006)

The Bail Act must be changed to prevent further innocent victims says a justice watchdog organization.

After being approached by the distraught mothers of two young boys who were sexually assaulted, the Sensible Sentencing Trust are demanding changes to the Bail Act saying that "Liberal minded Judges are incapable of protecting innocent members of the public".

In November 2005 Juan Pablo Horvath, an 18 year old Hastings youth, was remanded on Bail after facing seven charges ranging from indecent assault to sexual violation on three children aged from 10 to 14 years.

In January this year Horvath was charged with committing further indecent assaults while on Bail – and yet he was again remanded on Bail until his trial which is expected to start on 9th October.

The angry mothers approached the Sensible Sentencing Trust last week asking for help. Trust Spokesman, Garth McVicar said the ladies were visibly upset and distressed that further sexual assaults were committed on innocent unsuspecting victims because a Judge "got it so wrong".

Mr McVicar said the Trust had been monitoring Bail failures for some time and had written to all politicians requesting that urgent changes be made to the Bail Act to ensure that repeat offenders or anybody charged with a violent and / or sexual offence would not be eligible for Bail.

"In this latest case we have approached the two Hawke’s Bay MP’s, Chris Tremaine and Craig Foss to enlist their support for urgent changes to the Bail Act and whatever assistance they can offer the victims and parents of the children concerned".

"We have previously asked the Government for action on behalf of other victims, but our pleas have apparently fallen on deaf ears, we believe the systemic failures of the Bail Act are now of epidemic proportions and we are asking for support from all Parties in Parliament".

Mr McVicar said child abuse, sexual assaults and violent crime were escalating horrifically and Judges and politicians were simply limping after a problem they have created.

"How many more innocent people must be killed or abused before our politicians will change the law?"

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.