JUDGING the JUDGES
PROTECTING THE COMMUNITY – OR NOT?
25th November 2018
New Zealanders are asking what it will take to get through to Judges like Judge James Johnston that one of his obligations is to consider the safety of the wider community when sentencing an offender.
Recidivist offender Gavin Hawthorn was up before Judge Johnston for yet another ‘driving with excess breath alcohol’ charge.
He had amassed 10 driving drunk convictions and so far had caused the death of four people. His weapon was the motor car.
And there’s more, his other convictions involve drugs, violence and robbery, over 60 in total.
How much more proof did the judge need that this guy has no intention of changing his ways. He has made a choice to treat New Zealand as his own version of the Wild West where he can offend with impunity and no one is going to stop him.
The victims of course are the public who are put at risk every time a scumbag like Hawthorn is let loose.
If Judge Johnston really believes that imposing home detention is an effective response or a deterrent to Hawthorn, then he is living in some sort of parallel universe.
Outlaws like Hawthorn can be prevented from causing harm. It involves placing them in an environment where they cannot run wild. That place is called prison. The price of that is public safety.
Go to http://www.judgethejudges.co.nz/ for more.
Jock Jamieson
Public Awareness Manager
Sensible Sentencing Trust
0221845117
|
|