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Archived Press Releases 2009 4th February 2009

GLASSIE SENTENCES A DISGRACE SAYS WATCHDOG

(4th February 2009)

The sentences handed down in the Nia Glassie case are further confirmation that our Justice System is self-destructing says a prominent justice watchdog

The National Spokesman for the Sensible Sentencing Trust said the sentences totally failed Nia Glassie and the wider community. "These pathetic sentences failed to send a deterrent message that society will NOT accept such despicable crimes, they failed to tell every mum and dad that we value and treasure our children, they failed New Zealand – full-stop!"

Garth McVicar said the so-called Justice System was a disgrace – a legal process at best and one that the public were continuing to lose faith in.

"This was not a one-off temper induced killing, this was a planned, prolonged systematic attack on a totally defenseless child. A more horrific murder would be difficult to imagine."

"I am not targeting the Judge; every facet of this disgraceful system needs a radical overhaul, starting from the Crown, the defence, the Judiciary, Legislation and society itself."

"We call ourselves a civilized, educated nation but in reality we are the child-abuse capital of the western World – and that is disgraceful."

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.