FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Why we needed Three Strikes

“As a result of the “three strikes” legislation this recidivist violent offender now at least has a ‘strike’ to his name, and that is something, but the Judge could have done much more to protect the community,” says Sensible Sentencing Trust.

During the passage of the “three strikes” Bill in 2010 various liberal commentators argued that it was unnecessary because Judges had the option of Preventive Detention (PD) for the truly incorrigible offenders.

“The case of Steven Pengally illustrates exactly why the Judges’ discretion needed to be modified by the “thee strikes” legislation “said Sensible Sentencing Chairman Garth McVicar today.

“Here is a man with an appalling history of violence, now convicted of attempted murder; a crime in which it is by only pure chance that the victim did not die, and the Judge does not give him Preventive Detention, even though both the charge and Pengally’s criminal history cries out for it” said McVicar.

“I am a farmer, and know the effect of sharp knives on an animal’s throat. When you pull a person’s head back and slit the victim’s throat as this guy did, there is absolutely no doubt the victim was expected to die” McVicar said.

“If the knife was a little sharper, or the cut had been one millimeter deeper, it was all over for this poor guy. Preventive Detention requires the offender to prove that he is no longer a threat. How on earth could this Judge not have seen it as the appropriate sentence in this case?” said McVicar.

“As a result of the “three strikes” legislation this recidivist violent offender now at least has a ‘strike’ to his name, and that is something, but the Judge could have done much more to protect the community” McVicar says

“We are sometimes accused of advocating ‘lock them up and throw away the key’ policies. While that is not true, for a guy like this, that is indeed the only sensible sentence” said McVicar. “He is a dangerous animal”. ENDS

Throat-slasher planned to 'probably kill' backpacker

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Gordon Campbell: On The 2013 Budget

Among Thursday’s main talking points:

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Auckland Discord: Govt’s Power Hungry Housing Approach A Threat - Labour

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Extending Protest Ban, Relaxing Permit Rules: Govt Abuses Urgency To Extend Anadarko Amendment

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