NSW: Appeal likely on jail terms for gang rapists
Controversial jail terms handed to three Sydney gang rapists are likely to be increasedafter the New South Wales appeal court today expressed concern the sentences weren't atleast in double figures.
The maximum jail terms of up to four and six years meted out to the young men sparkedpublic outcry when the five-hour ordeal inflicted on two 16-year-old girls was revealedin the District Court last August.
Crown Prosecutor GREG SMITH told the New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal thattrial Judge MEGAN LATHAM had erred in handing down manifestly inadequate sentences whichfailed to reflect the seriousness of the crimes.
Mr SMITH described the pack rape of the girls, who were threatened with a knife andraped repeatedly, as close to the worst class category.
Appeal court Justice BRIAN SULLY has gone even further, questioning why the gang rapedidn't attract a maximum 20 years sentence.
The appeal justices have reserved their decision.
AAP RTV dmc/jjs/tb/jh
KEYWORD: GANG RAPE (SYDNEY)
No comments:
Post a Comment