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Archived Press Releases 2008 9th May 2008

WATCHDOG APPLAUDS CHRISTCHURCH BUT SLAMS LOCAL LAWYER FOR INSULTING VICTIMS AND SPINNING THE STATS

(9th May 2008)

High profile QC, Nigel Hampton was one of over 400 who turned out for a public meeting in Christchurch called to address increasing levels of violence in the city.

Sensible Sentencing Trust’s Leah Matena says she thought Mr Hampton lived in Christchurch, "but after insulting the audience by suggesting the city is safe and the concern about crime is a beat-up, he made me wonder where he was talking about, he certainly wasn’t describing Christchurch so I seriously have to wonder where he does live? What is the name of the planet he’s from?"

"Mr Hampton has shown that he’s not only deluded but he’s also self righteous and insensitive."

The QC began his odd outburst by patronising the news media - he suggested they shouldn’t report on the work or opinions of organisations like the Sensible Sentencing Trust.

Then in front of a room filled with victims of violent crime including the families of Emma Agnew and Marie Davis who were both murdered so heinously, Mr Hampton insisted the city is safe - what a slap in the face for those families!

"Nigel, we have had a gutsful of the PC environment you and a small, vocal, anddeluded group have helped create and continue to foster - the worst kind of do-gooders.

You claim to have worthy goals but they now appear to be high sounding ideals held only to thinly disguise access to the most lucrative legal aid.

I believe most of the rest of us at that meeting genuinely had altruistic reasons for being there - we care about our families and our community.

Organisations like the Sensible Sentencing Trust are at least honest, we say it like it is and we only ask for protection in return.

Not surprisingly, Mr Hampton was a lone voice in the 400 plus crowd.

Inspector Gary Knowles from Christchurch Police acknowledged the crime concerns and stated that police are committed to reducing crime with the proven zero tolerance initiative.

Time for change Christchurch!! You have stood up, let’s get behind the police and create the safe, crime free city we all want to live in. Let’s make it a reality instead of just a delusion in QC Hampton’s mind.

Regards,

Leah Matena
Christchurch Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.
Mobile 027 3066 458