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Archived Press Releases 2008 17th July 2008

Veitch must go to prison if convicted

(17th July 2008)

Legal ramifications for Veitch seem warranted says Sensible Sentencing Trust spokesman.

A Spokesman for the Sensible Sentencing Trust says the apparent violence and brutality of Tony Veitch's assault on his former partner, breaking her back in four places was chilling enough. But Peter Jenkins says, “Now we find that he also left her lying on the floor in agony for six hours afterwards before doing anything to get help.”

“His high profile should not be an excuse, and whilst we appreciate that the facts to date have only been divulged via the media, if these accusations are proven in a court of law then surely a conviction and subsequent prison sentence is warranted.

“If his employers had any remaining doubts this should clear them up. The sheer callousness of his actions in not only assaulting her but leaving her in excruciating pain afterwards show that this was far worse than just "lashing out".

“No normal decent man "lashes out" at a woman, let alone with such force that she ends up in a wheelchair for months. Neither money nor words can compensate for the horror of what she must have undergone.” Mr Jenkins said.

“Any normal man convicted of such a thing should expect to spend time in prison. Veitch if convicted should not be exempt because of his high profile, far from it, he should have known better.”

“If convicted Tony Veitch should go to prison if only to send a message to others that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated in society.”

Mr Jenkins said, “As far as his media career afterwards, he should pursue it somewhere else - perhaps Uzbekistan or Iran , if they'll have him.”

Regards,

Peter Jenkins
Auckland Central Spokesman and webmaster,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.
mobile 0274 338562