6 NOVEMBER 2008

Jigsaw Reminds Judges Violence Is Not Ok

Tau Huirama, Jigsaw CEO (Strategic Relationships) is appalled that Judge Robert Spear, Tauranga District Court, has ignored the importance of why we have the nationwide “Its Not OK” campaign and S59 of the Crimes Act 1961, by giving Adrian Hilterman, 50, Police Prosecutor, virtually no sentence for his violent beating of his wife and children.

“I am astounded that a member of the judicial community does not understand the Acts that govern this country. The repealed s59 of the Crimes Act was implemented to protect our children from acts of violence with an instrument. By giving a light sentence for what is violence towards his children and wife makes a mockery of our and their legal and democratic system.”

“I support Women’s Refuge CEO, Heather Henare’s view that this is an appalling message to send to New Zealanders and I also hope people voice their concern about this.”

“There needs to be continuity with Judges decisions, in particular around domestic violence and child abuse” said Mr Huirama from Wellington today.

“This isn’t an act of stress; it is an act of violence, violence that has been dished out over a period of nine years. Mr Hilterman has been employed as Police Prosecutor for the past 25 years and an offence like this perpetuates the acceptance of violence in our communities and appears to be supported by the individuals in the judicial system. The impact of being in a family with violence and the soft sentence, will most certainly have a devastating effect upon the children.”

“There are some great judges that can keep these issues in perspective and work with a certain degree of clarity, analysis and humanity. What fails this, is the level of consistency around consequences and sentencing.”

“If this person was picked up for ‘drink in charge of a vehicle’, I have confidence he would have been charged without question.”

ENDS

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