Editorial: Butler must pay for crime

I'm a strong believer in the saying, the punishment should fit the crime.

After reading an article in the Rotorua Daily Post on Saturday, this doesn't appear to be the case.

Dominion Finance director Ann Butler was one of six directors at the helm when the company went under in 2008.

Butler pleaded guilty to seven Securities Act charges of making untrue statements in a prospectus and investment statements. As a result more than $176 million of investors money went down the gurgler.

What's got my heckles up is the fact Butler is now seeking home detention in her $6.8 million mansion in Remuera, Auckland.

The home, which boasts a swimming pool, four bedrooms and bathrooms, sounds like a real tough Shawshank Redemption lag for the 64-year-old. I'm sure Butler would really learn a lesson hanging out by her pool.

Meanwhile, those who invested have lost their hard-earned cash, like Owen Hoddinott, 66, who lost $100,000 of his retirement savings and has had to go back to work.

Let's hope Justice Robert Dobson sees past this farce and gives Butler her just deserts. He has already called for a report on her assets. It is understood the Crown will be seeking a reparation order for investors.

These types of crimes seem to always end with the victims being punished more than the culprit. There should be mandatory jail time to help dissuade it from happening.