An appalling name suppression decision
Matua Kahurangi writes:
New Zealand should be disgusted. A 46-year-old member of a wealthy family has been convicted of possessing and importing over 11,000 files of child sexual abuse material, including videos of toddlers being tortured, children being urinated on, and sadistic sexual acts involving pre-pubescent girls. Despite the seriousness of these crimes, their identity has been permanently suppressed. Not only their own name, but also their family name and the name of their high-profile company.
To make matters worse, this offender managed to shave their sentence down to just two years and five months in prison – after Judge Maria Pecotic handed out a massive 56% discount. Why? Because of so-called “good character,” mental health claims, remorse, and most shockingly, a $50,000 “donation” to two charities. That seems to me more like a bribe in exchange for leniency.
Name suppression, after conviction, should be exceedingly rare and only for very minor offending.
The 56% discount will no longer be available in future, with a new 40% cap. But it is the suppression more than length of sentence which is the outrage.
It is also very unfair on other members of wealthy families in their 40s. On social media several high profile people have been incorrectly named.
I hope the Crown or media appeal the name suppression decision.
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