Courts Fail Northern Territory Public Again

Territorian’s were again let down by their justice system when a Supreme Court Justice delayed the sentencing of a young violent offender to allow him to play representative football.

“I’m astounded that having rightly criticised the original sentence in the Magistrates Court, Justice Angel delayed sentencing on the grounds the offender has a football match to play,” says Terry Mills, Leader of the Country Liberals.

“This decision is completely at odds with the expectations of the community on how violent criminal should be dealt with.

“I note the Chief Minister cited this very case when he recently announced minimal changes to sentencing of violent criminals.

“Yet today the DPP raised no objections to the young offender being set free to play football.

“The fact is that this Government’s complacency about violent crime has created the conditions that result in situations like this.

“The Martin/Henderson Governments have spent most of 7 years concocting explanations for why the rate of violent crime wasn’t actually rising.

“We were repeatedly told that it was merely an increase in reports of violent crime in the official statistics.

“That denial of reality has cost Territorians dearly.

“Barry Hall received a 7 match suspension, Dean Solomon 8, Greg Williams 9; this young offender gets a Territory jumper.”

2008-07-16