Anger at toddler-abuse sentence

The Sensible Sentencing Trust is "appalled" at the two-year prison term given to a man for his part in the abuse of a toddler forced to eat dog faeces.

In Whakatane District Court yesterday Judge Peter Rollo sentenced Kane Jeremy Tawa, 23, for wilfully ill-treating the two-year-old boy, assaulting him and breaching community work.

The court was told Tawa and co-accused Harley Mac Wharewera, 19, subjected the toddler to abuse in a room named the "cell".

They threw him against the wall, punched and hit him. One two occasions the boy was forced to eat dog faeces.

Today Sensible Sentencing Trust founder Garth McVicar said the Tawa should have a non-parole period of five years.

The country had been appalled at the offence, yet the judge had given Tawa a "pathetic" sentence, he said.

Christine Rankin, former WINZ boss turned children's advocate, said she was astonished at the sentence.

She told Newstalk ZB that similar cases came across her desk everyday and judges could not be relied on to deal with the problem. Ordinary New Zealanders were also guilty of turning a blind eye.

She said: "We are so politically correct we are frightened to say there is a problem in the Maori community, there is a problem in the Pacific Island community, and there is a problem in the European community."

Wharewera was sentenced to 10 years in prison on October 10 on charges of intent to cause grievous bodily harm, wilful ill-treatment, assault and injuring with intent.

Crown lawyer Greg Hollister-Jones said it was clear that Wharewera was the leader and committed the majority of the abuse.

He said Tawa should be given credit for the assistance he gave police when they charged Wharewera.

The Sensible Sentencing Trust is also concerned at comments this week by new Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor that he would like to see a rise in the use of home detention to counter prison overcrowding problems.

"A lot of the judges are starting to pick up the vibes of the community and starting to give sensible sentences, then you get this new minister... making statements like that," Mr McVicar said.

"What we believe is happening, once again we've got political interference with the judiciary."

He was trying to make an appointment to see Mr O'Connor.

- NZPA, NEWSTALK ZB