Press Release 5-8-04

Appeal Court decision callous and insensitive

An Appeal Court decision to reduce the sentence of serial rapist Nicholas Reekie has been slammed as insensitive and callous by the Sensible Sentencing Trust.

Reekie was sentenced to preventative detention with a minimum of 25 years in 2003, the Appeal Court this week reduced that minimum to 20 years.

Spokesman for the Trust said the Appeal Court decision was a classic act of uncaring stupidity equaled only by that of Reekie himself.

"How insensitive can these Judges be? Four women aged between 11and 69 were raped and traumatized by a callous uncaring pathetic excuse for a man [Reekie] and now they have been re-victimised by a callous uncaring pathetic excuse for an Appeal Court", said Mr. McVicar.

We have been contacted by some of the families, we know how they are feeling and we share their anger and utter frustration. Mr. McVicar said this is like another gigantic "kick in the guts" for all these people, and we have the audacity to call ourselves a caring, civilised society.

How can the public of New Zealand be expected to have any confidence in a Justice system that is an utter sham and appears to be hell bent on self destruction? Asked Mr. McVicar.

Justice for these women is a sad joke, a one sided argument that favours the criminal at the expense of the victim, how could anyone in their right mind reduce the sentence of one of the most brutal, calculating rapists this country has ever seen.

Would someone tell me please, what good can ever come out of reducing Nicholas Reekie's sentence by 5 years?

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