Heavy penalties for new violence offence

Press, 29 April 1989, Page 10

Heavy penalties for new violence offence

By

PETER LUKE

in Auckland

Extreme and exceptional violence will become a separate offence under the new Crimes Bill due to be introduced in Parliament next week. The new offence called aggravated violence, will carry a maximum sentence of 20 years prison and judges will also be able to stop parole being given for at least 10 years.

The Minister of Justice, Mr Palmer, unveiled the new sentence at a Labour Party conference in Auckland last evening.

“This offence is reserved for really serious and exceptional cases of violence and cruelty,” Mr Palmer said later.

"The provision which has been drafted makes particular reference to gang rape and things of that character.”

Two other possible uses were for aggravated robbery and the use of “fearful weapons,” he said.

Mr Palmer said the new offence could be used in place of a specific offence, such as aggravated robbery. But as a safeguard, prosecution under the new offence would require the consent of the Solicitor-General.

The full non-parole period of 10 years would be the same as the nonparole period for a life sentence.

The existing penalty for aggravated robbery and

rape is 14 years. Mr Palmer said long Caucus discussions had preceded the new offence.

“But Parliament and society are entitled to mark out the repugnance they undoubtedly feel towards the extreme cases of serious violence. “I mean there have been incidents of such mindless and cruel violence that the existing penalties do not seem to be always enough.” But Mr Palmer rejected the concept of a minimum sentence. The Government would continue to tackle the root causes of violence, such as those identified in the Roper Report.