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Archived Press Releases 2009 7th July 2009

COURT OF APPEAL OUT OF TOUCH WITH REALITY

(7th July 2009)

The Court of Appeal has reduced the sentence of one of New Zealand ’s most prolific criminals and the Sensible Sentencing Trust say they are out of touch with reality.

In reducing the sentence the Court of Appeal said no purpose was served by the original 26 year sentence Reid received for the murder of Emma Agnew and the rape of a 21 year old student a week later.

But the Sensible Sentencing Trust is infuriated at the reduction of the sentence and the comments of the Court.

Trust Spokesman Garth McVicar said the reduction was bad enough but the Courts comments showed how out of touch with reality the Court had become.

“Liam Reid had amassed 61 previous convictions and yet the Appeal Court says no purpose was served by the original 26 year sentence.”

“For the Appeal Court to say his sentence was too long is clear evidence that the Court is totally incapable of considering the deterrent the original sentence had on future criminals.

“Surely a prime responsibility of the Appeal Court is to consider the safety of the wider community not just the well-being of criminals like Reid.”

“All criminals in this country will be able to sleep easy knowing that if they are unlucky enough to get a long sentence the Appeal Court will be do its damndest to have it reduced.”

“The Court of Appeal have succeeded in doing what we have been trying to do for a long time – they have shown beyond doubt how dysfunctional New Zealand ’s justice system has become.”

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.