Critics say kidnapping sentence longer than for some murders

The 11-year prison term handed down yesterday for the kidnapper of baby Kahu Durie shows the sentencing system is back-to-front, says the Sensible Sentencing Trust.

Terence Ward Traynor, 54, an unemployed spraypainter, was sentenced in Wellington District Court to a concurrent term of 11 years on five charges.

He had earlier pleaded guilty to kidnapping Kahu, eight-month-old adopted daughter of High Court judge Eddie Durie and Wellington lawyer Donna Hall, on April 13.

He also pleaded guilty to charges of committing a crime with a firearm, by violent means rendering Ms Hall incapable of resisting the kidnapping, and threatening to kill Ms Hall's two nieces.

The Sensible Sentencing Trust believed murder was the "most horrendous crime possible", but people who killed could receive lesser sentences than Traynor received yesterday, trust spokesman Garth McVicar told NZPA today.

"We see the other sentences that are handed down as being a slap in the face of the victims and the families who have lost someone to the horrific crime of murder.

"The sentence is probably out of all proportion when you realise in Napier a guy gets kicked to death in the street and that fellow only receives a three year sentence," trust spokesman Garth McVicar told NZPA.

"The group of kids that rammed the broomstick up the young man's backside received two to 2-1/2 year sentences. Then you get a man who kidnaps a baby -- which I know is a terrible crime but nobody was hurt and the chances of [the] baby receiving any permanent injury are nil -- and he gets 11 years. You can kill someone and get a lot less."

Ms Hall said last night she did not have a view on the sentence handed down.

"That's a decision that's been given by a district court judge who has considered all of the relevant issues. That decision is to be respected and there is no comment about it," she said.

Ms Hall said the family wanted to put the episode behind them.

"What is relevant is the extent of the crisis that occurred for the three of us ... that that can be parked away, put it behind us, as we consider how we will rededicate our future."

She hoped her daughter could now enjoy some anonymity.

"We're very anxious for that to happen ... that she should be able to grow up and be a ordinary little New Zealand baby.

"She's now nine months. I'm hoping that very quickly it will be behind us."

- NZPA

Pictures: Inside the kidnapper's hideaway

The ransom note

Full coverage: Baby Kahu kidnapping