Sexual Predator Sentence Devastating To Victims - SST

1st June 2016

“If befriending a mentally impaired women and then raping her doesn’t deserve a lengthy term of imprisonment can his Honour please tell New Zealand exactly what does.“ Guthrie.

A Palmerston North man has been sent to prison for sexually violating a mentally impaired woman.
Basil Richard Smith was sentenced in the Palmerston North District Court on Monday to eight years and six months behind bars for the crimes he committed against a vulnerable woman who was simply looking for a friend. Smith will be eligible for parole in just under 3 years’ time.

“There was "a serious degree of your being a predator and if that's too strong a word, you are taking advantage of people who are less capable than you”. Judge Jim Large.

Scott Guthrie of Sensible Sentencing Trust says “reading the consistent weak and out of touch sentences being handed out for some of the worst type of high end offending is like reading a comic book.”

Judge Large said that the crime was premeditated and Smith knew exactly what he was doing and had taken advantage of the victim’s mental impairment but then gave the victim a slap in the face with the sentence he then handed down.

“However, there were also no aggravating features present in this offending” Judge Large.
“What part of rape does this Judge along with many other Judges not find aggravating. Pathetic sentences like this are devastating to victims.” Said Mr Guthrie
“Where is the strong message of deterrence being sent here? Judges are supposed to be the pillars and gate keepers of our community. They are supposed to keep us, the public safe, but repeatedly fail in their duty to stand up against crime and instead sanction it.

ENDS

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