Sentence for paedophile principal slammed

13th November 2015

“Child abuse must be eliminated; Judges are the gate-keepers for society, this type of behaviour is entirely in the hands of our Judiciary" Victim Lobby

Sensible Sentencing Trust’s Manawatu Spokesperson Scott Guthrie has today labelled the sentence handed down to a Principal who abused boys in his care as totally in proportionate & out of touch.

Melrose, who on Thursday was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment for serious repetitive sexual offending, under the Crimes amendment Act 2005 could have easily been sentenced to a minimum of 7 years without parole but will be eligible for parole in less than 12 months.

Scott says, "When passing sentence Judge Harvey took into consideration the offenders “contribution to society” & also his age but seems to have failed to take into consideration the victim impact statements let alone the horrific burden the victims have carried with them for over 40 years."

Scott is calling for Judges to start exercising the powers available to them when sentencing and stop considering what these serious offenders might think is appropriate as a punishment and also for our judges to start listening to the horrified public of New Zealand who repeatedly say enough is enough.

“Child abuse must be eliminated; Judges are the gate-keepers for society, this type of behaviour is entirely in the hands of our Judiciary, a pathetic sentence such as this is no deterrent what so ever.”

ENDS

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