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Criminal Lawyer discusses difficulty of balancing sentencing discounts

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Sun, 25 Jan 2026, 3:44pm
(NZ Herald)
(NZ Herald)

Criminal Lawyer discusses difficulty of balancing sentencing discounts

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Sun, 25 Jan 2026, 3:44pm

A man who snatched a 3-year-old girl from a Rotorua daycare centre with the intention to rape her will be released from jail in just over six weeks after serving one year in jail. 

His release comes under strict conditions including six months of standard release conditions, and he must adhere to other special conditions set out in his probation report.

This case has raised questions around sentencing discounts going too far, and Criminal Lawyer Steve Cullen told Tim Beveridge that it's a difficult task to balance sentencing discounts with maintaining a streamlined judicial system. 

He also added that any moves from the government to limit the discretion of Judges is not helpful for the system. 

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