Editorial: Justice has not been done

I struggle to have faith in our justice system. How can someone be sentenced to prison for a crime and then get out years before that sentence is up? And how can they then ask to have their release conditions cancelled or softened?

It just doesn't make sense but it is exactly what happens all too often in this country.

The latest case to make headlines is that of disgraced former policeman Brad Shipton.

Shipton and two others, Bob Schollum and Peter McNamara, were convicted of pack raping a woman in a beach hut in Mount Maunganui in 1989.

The crime emerged as part of the fallout of the infamous Louise Nicholas case.

Shipton was jailed for eight years in 2005 but released after serving three years. The Parole Board weighed a number of factors, including the decision that Shipton was no longer an "undue" risk to the community.

He has been subject to a raft of strict parole conditions, such as living at a certain address, not communicating with his co-offenders or victim, and not talking to the media. These are sensible rules that are supposed to stay in force until he would have completed his full sentence.

But now it has been revealed Shipton wants to have his release conditions cancelled. The Parole Board is considering this request and has, quite rightly, met his victim over the matter.

Victims' rights groups are upset by the application, with the Sensible Sentencing Trust describing it as "appalling".

The trust is right. It is appalling.

There is something seriously wrong with our system when such leniency can be shown and considered for someone convicted of such a heinous crime. The Parole Board is a powerful organisation and needs to use its power wisely. In Shipton's case, I believe he has got off way too lightly.

How can anyone, even the most liberal of people, say that three years behind bars for rape is adequate? Justice has not been done in this case. Scott Inglis

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