Strike Two

The Press reports:

New Zealand's first second-strike violent offender has had his sentencing delayed because of the devastating .

Manahi Ripia, 20, of Wainoni, was meant to have been sentenced in Christchurch District yesterday for aggravated robbery and a series of burglaries.

But because of the quake, pre-sentence preparations could not be completed. Yesterday, Judge Gary MacAskill – sitting in Rangiora Courthouse because the Christchurch courts are off limits – remanded him in custody to May 27.

Ripia was on bail after receiving a first-strike warning when he committed a further offence.

That led to him being read New Zealand's first second-strike warning on January 26, and he was remanded in custody for sentence yesterday.

Mr Ripia seems a slow learner, commiting more crimes while on bail after his first strike. Fortunately we now have a law which won't allow him to just receive minor sentences for-ever. At this second strike his senetence will be of normal length, but he won't get parole, meaning he will serve the full term.

And if after release he gets convicted of a third strike for aggravated robbery, then he's going to be off the streets for many many years.

Comments (48)

Login to comment or vote

Add a Comment