3-strikes bill 'fits Kurariki', says victim's mother

Bailey Junior Kurariki was arrested on Sunday for the alleged assault of his girlfriend. Photo / Herald on Sunday

New Zealand's youngest convicted killer is a prime candidate for Act's proposed "three strikes and you're out" bill, says the mother of his victim.

Rita Croskery - whose son Michael Choy was killed by Bailey Junior Kurariki and others in 2001 - pledged her support for the "three-strikes" legislation, which would see those convicted of a third serious offence sentenced to life imprisonment with a 25-year non-parole period.

She said it would help keep dangerous criminals such as Kurariki off the street.

"If everyone gets behind it then maybe that will be a start. People don't think about that side of it, but if they want a safer community they have to send a submission," she told the Herald yesterday.

Kurariki was arrested in South Auckland on Sunday for the alleged assault of his girlfriend, Janie Martin. He appeared in Manukau District Court yesterday, and was remanded in custody to May 6.

Mrs Croskery was not surprised to hear of Kurariki's arrest.

"A lot of the general public don't know his background and just think, 'Oh he was so young,' and excuse it."

Mrs Croskery has been to over 20 parole board meetings since her son was murdered in her bid to see justice served.

She said if Kurariki could not stick to his parole conditions, he was hardly likely to toe the line once released into the community.