Jailed kidnapper appeals prison sentence

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A young woman jailed for more than 10 years for her part in the kidnapping of a Hawke's Bay woman from her home, today appealed her sentence.

Luana Sullivan, 25, was jailed - along with two others - for terrorising a 58-year-old woman they kidnapped from her Hastings home and beat unconscious on two consecutive days in January 2010.

Just before she was due to go on trial, Sullivan entered guilty pleas to two charges of kidnapping, two of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, two of assault with a blunt instrument, two of theft of a motor vehicle and one each of burglary and theft from a dwelling.

Sullivan's former partner, Anthony Haddon Williams, 28, admitted guilt early and was jailed in March last year for nine-and-a-half years. His sentence has since been reduced to eight years by the Court of Appeal.

Williams' mother, Roseanne Audrey Haddon, 50, got seven-and-a-half years behind bars for her part.

Sullivan, who has given varying accounts of her involvement, disputes her level of participation in the violence dealt to the victim and claims it was minor.

The Court of Appeal in Wellington was told this afternoon that she did not get an opportunity to go before a disputed facts hearing.

Justice Ronald Young asked why a signed affidavit was not provided from Sullivan.

"We have to be satisfied that she would have something to say that was different," he told lawyer Tony Snell, who was not her counsel during the court case.

"She has given three different versions (of her part in what happened) and she has lied to the police (saying she was not even there)."

Mr Snell said Sullivan had consistently disputed the extent of her participation in the crime.

She had pleaded guilty "as a secondary party" to the violence and claimed she was intimidated by Williams.

Justice Judith Potter, on hearing that Sullivan maintained she had played a lesser role said: "That might be her version of things."

"I have a clear impression of a woman out of control," said Justice Tony Randerson.

The case was "a bit troubling".

Mr Snell said the sentence should be set aside and the matter referred back to a disputed facts hearing.

However, Annabel Markham for the Crown said: "We don't have anything from the appellant saying what is precisely in dispute."

Williams may have had the muscle but Sullivan had played a part throughout.

"Indeed, she was the driving force in the earlier stages of this very sorry saga."

Justice Randerson said if the court did decide an affidavit from Sullivan was "desirable" the hearing may have to be reconvened.

A decision was reserved.

- NZPA