Another dud judge wreaks havoc on the victim's family

starting point for sentencing at seven and a half years in prison

took into account the teen's youth

settled on a sentence of six years imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of three years and three months

The Crown were seeking a starting point of 10 years imprisonment for the teenager

There is something seriously wrong with our judiciary.  They don't have the balls to impose maximum sentences with zero parole.  It appears that this judge is just another dud judge.

Criminals in my book forfeit all rights upon commission of the crime.  Maximum sentences are the only option, lock them up and forget parole.  Life means life, no exceptions or parole.  Home D is just a holiday joke.

I'm sure that'll end well!

Conservative Party leader Colin Craig has come out firing, accusing the "dirty politics brigade" of a conspiracy to destroy his reputation

Craig let rip at individuals he claimed were manipulating politics. 

He announced he would be launching defamation action against Jordan Williams, John Stringer and Whaleoil blogger Cameron Slater. 

He is seeking damages of $300,000 from Williams, $600,000 from Stringer and $650,000 from Slater.

Although not technically the same, the Streisand Effect comes to mind. I'm sure that any defamation proceedings will end well for young Colin.  In his mind anyway.   With minimal damage to Colin's political career. 

But somehow I get the feeling it's going to be a long and very public goodbye for the Colin Craig Conservative Party.   Time to order much popcorn and await the entertainment.

Repeaters: Trained and skilled ... [corrected]

340,000 cubic metres, or six truckloads of pig poo

340,000m3?  I think not, more like 340,000 litres or 34m3 340m3. [corrected]

Given that the average truck carries 8-10m3 and pig poo does not have the density of uranium, I think the trained and skilled repeater is telling porkies.

"Bring the guilty bastard in"

Iwi leader Sonny Tau has been charged after being caught at Invercargill airport carrying dead kereru

Weeks later, Mr Plod catches up with the esteemed Mr Tau, purveyor of the finest wood pigeon to be had in the Land of the Long White Cloud for allegedy having five birds on his person.  Only trouble such birds are totally protected in New Zealand.

a mistake, which I deeply regret

No doubt only regrettable when caught and a charge is in the offing.

a fully protected species and cannot be taken or held without authorisation under the Wildlife Act

The beak will already be soaking a bus ticket in tea whilst listening out for mitigating circumstance. 

Others looking for a lynching would suggest "Bring the guilty bastard in" going by the tone of most commentary on social media.

Herald and Stuff