Judge ruling shocks another family

Judge Raoul Neave. Photo / Otago Daily Times

A judge who sentenced an investment banker to community service for running over a man and breaking his legs in a road rage incident has come under fire from another grieving family.

The driver who killed 21-year-old Danielle Reeves was given nine months home detention by Judge Raoul Neave last month - a sentence Danielle's family says disgusted them.

Her mother, Tracy, told TV3 News that Judge Neave was out of touch with society.

The driver responsible for Danielle's death, Nathan Richard Siepkes, had reportedly been twice banned from driving, was in an unregistered and unwarranted car and was trying to prove he could drift the vehicle before he crashed on a wet road in Christchurch last June.

Siepkes, 21, pleaded guilty last month to dangerous driving causing death and two counts of driving while forbidden.

Judge Neave also ordered Siepkes to 200 hours community service and reportedly said: "The best thing you can do to give some meaning to Danielle's life is to make a success of your own.''

The Reeves family told TV3 they believed Judge Neave should be stood down.

"I was expecting some justice [for Danielle's death]. I wanted [the driver] to learn that this behaviour isn't acceptable,'' Ms Reeves said.

"I mean, he's [got] home detention, nine months. He's been grounded. It's disgusting.''

Last week there was backlash against Judge Neave after he sentenced 60-year-old investment banker Guy Hallwright to 250 hours of community work, banned him from driving for 18 months and ordered he pay $20,000 reparations to the man he drove over.

The sentence was criticised by the victim and a witness as too lenient for the crime.

During sentencing, Judge Neave criticised media for referring to the offence as a "hit and run'', saying Hallwright was driving "away'' from the situation.

He said Hallwright had been the subject of "prurient media interest'' that was "vulgar in the extreme''.

Sensible Sentencing Trust spokesman Garth McVicar said there had been frustration at Judge Neave's sentence handed down to Hallwright.

Mr McVicar said it supported the trust's push for a review of how the country's judges operate.

"There are very good judges and there are liberal judges - it's the reason we've been pushing for the review by Parliament of how we hold our judges accountable.''