Middleton asks supporters to stay calm for sentencing

By JO-MARIE BROWN and NZPA

Mark Middleton has urged his thousands of supporters to stay calm today as they protest nationwide against his sentencing for threatening to kill the man who murdered his stepdaughter, Karla Cardno, in 1989.

Extra police have been drafted at the Auckland District Court, where the sentence will be passed this morning.

Middleton has been on remand in Mt Eden Prison since he was convicted two weeks ago on three charges of threatening to kill Paul Dally, who is serving a life sentence for Karla Cardno's murder.

Family and friends who have visited Middleton in prison say he has been treated well and received hundreds of letters from the public.

His lawyer, Keith Jefferies, said Middleton was grateful for the support of people planning to join the widespread protests, but wanted them to stay calm.

"He's feeling positive and he's looking for a positive outcome."

Police have warned that members of the public who enter the courtroom may be searched.

Middleton supporters are expected to attend simultaneous rallies outside most of the country's 64 district courthouses to campaign for tougher sentences for violent criminals.

Inspector Brett England said extra police would be on standby outside the Auckland court today and members of the public wishing to enter the courtroom may be searched.

Judge Michael Lance, QC, who will sentence Middleton in the Auckland District Court at 10 am, has already indicated imprisonment is highly likely.

"[The threats] were serious, they were repetitive, they were committed in the face of warnings from police to desist," Judge Lance told Middleton shortly after the guilty verdicts.

Periodic detention is the most commonly used sentence for threatening to kill or do grievous bodily harm. It was used in 29 per cent of convictions in 1999.

Suspended prison sentences were imposed on 10 per cent of offenders, usually with periodic detention or supervision.

The crime of threatening to kill or do grievous bodily harm carries a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment.



The national organiser of the Middleton protest, Garth McVicar - a Napier deer farmer who did not previously know Middleton but attended his trial to lend moral support - said the response had been overwhelming.

"We don't want any ugly scenes but sheer weight of numbers is the only way we can force change," said Mr McVicar.

Supporters plan to gather outside the Auckland District Court from 9 am before marching down Wyndham and Queen Sts to a rally in QEII Square.

Similar demonstrations are planned in Hamilton, Tauranga and Rotorua.

A petition calling for murderers never to be released would be circulated at all the rallies.