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Archived Press Releases 2007 13th July 2007

GUN TOTING CRIMINAL RELEASED ON BAIL

(13th July 2007)

Thomas William Milligan has a propensity for violence – yet he was granted Bail – in 2003 he carried a firearm into Court and discharged it at bystanders, wounding one - while on parole for that offence was charged with unlawful sexual connection and wounding with intent to injure.

But Milligan was released on Bail and is now on the run wasting many police hours and taxpayer dollars after failing to appear in Court.

The Sensible Sentencing Trust says that is not good enough and is writing to ALL politicians to lobby for changes to the Bail Act.

Trust spokesman Garth McVicar said he believed Judges were placed under enormous pressure to bail offenders due to the overcrowded prison situation.

"We are hearing that Judges are being instructed to bail potentially dangerous offenders because prisons are full, Corrections are coming under pressure after admitting paying $190 per night, a total of $1.593 million in just 3 months, to house inmates in police cells. We believe Judges are now being instructed to use Bail instead of police cells or prison – and that is putting innocent members of the public at risk."

McVicar said Milligan was paroled after serving only 18 months of a four and half year sentence for illegal possession of a pistol and injuring with reckless disregard.

"This guy took a loaded firearm into the Palmerston North Court and fired at a group of people as he left, grazing one persons head, he is charged with sexually abusing a young girl and the police say he is on P. The Judge that granted this dangerous criminal Bail has failed in his duty to protect the community – or was he under orders to do so?"

Either way that is not good enough said McVicar. "We believe if ever there was a time for politicians to show leadership, now is it. We intend writing to every MP and ask for them to support the Sensible Sentencing Trust in it's efforts to change the Bail Act."

"Violent or repeat offenders should not be eligible for Bail, if Judges are failing to protect the community then we will do our best to do so."

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.