Women m terror, says Mr Banks

Press, 14 January 1987, Page 6

Women m terror, says Mr Banks

PA Wellington The member of Parliament for Whangarei, Mr John Banks, who faces contempt proceedings in the High Court associated with his anti-violence campaign, yesterday released another statement commenting on bail for violent criminals. “Recently, in a small provincial , town, an elderly woman who had been beaten senseless and raped was stunned to learn from the police that her alleged attacker had been released on the streets,” he said. “This woman and many others are living in a state of terror.” Mr Banks’ comments were contained in a brief statement in which he maintained that criminals with long lists of convic-

tions were still being released on bail by the courts "to continue their ' violent rampaging”.

He said that criminals with histories of violence should never be given bail! while waiting to be dealt with by the courts. Mr Banks campaigned last year against “recidivist violent offenders” in which he made use of Wanganui Computer records and made comments about the criminal justice system. In December, contempt proceedings were filed against him in the High Court at Wellington by the Solicitor-General, Mr Paul Neazor. Wellington Newspapers, Ltd, and the Broadcasting Corporation were also named in those proceedings.