The Sensible Sentencing Trust has today released its findings from analysis of all 15 cases of Coward Punch manslaughters since 2011.

National Spokesperson, Louise Parsons said: “On average, an offender convicted of a Coward Punch causing the death of a victim, is sentenced to just 3 years and 4 months imprisonment – for the violent, unprovoked killing of another human being.

“Further, because of soft parole and early release laws, the offenders are released from prison or become eligible for parole after just 14 months on average.

“To add insult to injury, around 25% of Coward Punch deaths result in the offender receiving Home Detention, continued Parsons.

“These sentences compare poorly to much more robust sentences imposed in some Australian jurisdictions such as Victoria or New South Wales, where average sentences of more than 9 and a half years are imposed.

“Most importantly, both Victoria and New South Wales impose at least 6-year minimum non-parole sentences for these violent killings, with an average around 7 years. This is the term the offender must serve before being considered for parole.

“That’s minimum sentences 6 times those imposed in New Zealand – 14 months versus around 7 years” continued Parsons.

Our findings on sentencing for Coward Punch deaths (manslaughter) in New Zealand:

• The average sentence imposed on the killer is just 3 years, 4 months imprisonment.
• On average, the offender becomes eligible for parole or release from prison after serving just 14 months in prison.
• 25% of Coward Punch manslaughters result in the offender being sentenced to Home Detention.

Compare the New Zealand situation with similar Australian jurisdictions such as New South Wales or Victoria, where:

• Average sentences for Coward Punch manslaughters are around 9.7 years in New South Wales and around 9.5 years in Victoria.
• Minimum non-parole periods of imprisonment of at least 6 years are standard in both New South Wales and Victoria, with an average around 7 years in both States.
• Home detention is never imposed for manslaughter. In fact, it is expressly forbidden as a sentence in New South Wales. Victoria abolished Home Detention as a sentencing option for manslaughter in 2012.

"This appallingly low sentencing in New Zealand can only be fixed by Parliament. It is not the fault of Judges. It is Parliament that sets the law, including minimum sentences, continued Parsons.

“We are calling on the Government to strengthen the weak Coward Punch proposal currently before the Justice Select Committee, with an 8-year minimum non-parole period of imprisonment for Coward Punches causing death.” concluded Parsons.

For more information go to: www.sst.nz/ campaigns/fair-consequences-for-coward-punch-killings

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