Crime Victims Support Association

Crime Victims Support Association Inc.

         ”To make Justice a right not Privilege”

                           

      This years Flight of the Angels will be held on Sunday 3^rd March commencing at 1130 am on the steps of Parliament House, Spring Street, Melbourne, at the top Bourke Street. We begin with the registration of the names to go in the Memorial Book of loved ones who lost their lives through violence.

For those of you who have not been before it a great chance to catch with your fellow victims who

Have gone through the trauma and pain that you are going through, we like you to bring a photo of your loved one to go on the table with the others, you also need a helium filled balloon, register the name of your loved one with my wife Beverley, and at midday we call out the names of those in Heaven and you release your balloons and at the end of that, we give the new members of the club that none of us wanted to join a dove to release, it is all over by 130 pm, and we clear the steps by 2pm. 

If you require further information do not hesitate to contact the writer, looking forward to seing you their.

 

Yours truly,

 

Noel McNamara

President

 

The Hon Ted Baillieu MP Hon Robert Clark MP

Premier Attorney-General Minister for the Arts Minister for Finance

Wednesday 12 December 2012

Government delivers on key sentencing reform

Premier Ted Baillieu and Attorney-General Robert Clark have announced that the Coalition Government is today introducing legislation to Parliament providing for a statutory minimum sentence of four years’ jail for attacks involving gross violence.

The legislation delivers a key component of the Coalition’s election commitment to better protect the community through stronger and more effective sentences.

“As we said before the election, we need to make it clear that those who deliberately set out to take part in violent attacks, or who continue to inflict horrific injuries on incapacitated victims, will spend a long time behind bars,” Mr Baillieu said.

“For too long, the law has not done enough to protect innocent Victorians from being victims of horrific, unprovoked attacks that have left them with terrible life-long injuries.

“These changes will put violent offenders behind bars for longer and send a clear and strong message to deter would-be offenders,” Mr Baillieu said.

The Crimes Amendment (Gross Violence Offences) Bill will:

• create two new offences of intentionally and recklessly causing serious injury in circumstances of gross violence; • require offenders guilty of these offences to be jailed with a non-parole period of at least four years; • enable a departure from the statutory minimum sentence only if there is a genuinely ‘special reason’ in limited defined circumstances, such as co-operation with law enforcement authorities or proven mental impairment; and • clarify and simplify the definitions of ‘injury’ and ‘serious injury’ in the Crimes Act. Circumstances of gross violence will include:

• where the offender has planned in advance to engage in violent conduct, intending or foreseeing it is likely to cause serious injury; • gang attacks where an offender causes serious injury to the victim together with two or more others; • where the offender plans in advance to carry a weapon and then uses the weapon to cause serious injury; and • where an offender inflicts serious injuries on an incapacitated victim, including when a victim continues to be attacked after they have already been incapacitated. …/2

Visit www.premier.vic.gov.au for more news

 

-2-

“This law is targeted at those horrific attacks that we see and hear of, far too often,” Mr Clark said.

“A young man leaving a football game is king-hit from behind without warning, and then kicked in the head repeatedly, suffering permanent brain damage.

“A student innocently walking home through a railway underpass is bashed by a gang until unconscious, and then left for dead.

“A promising footballer is choked unconscious in a fast-food restaurant before being flung face down on the floor.

“We need to send a clear, strong and simple message to anyone contemplating taking part in these sorts of cowardly or pre-meditated attacks – ‘If you attack someone with gross violence, you can expect to go to jail for at least four years’,” Mr Clark said.

In undertaking this reform, the Coalition Government has been assisted by the advice of the Sentencing Advisory Council as to how the reform should best be implemented.

As previously announced, in order to allow time for detailed consultation with all interested parties, statutory minimum sentences for juvenile offenders have not been included in this initial legislation.

Media contacts:

Kate Walshe 0411 472 299 (Premier) James Copsey 0419 984 371 (Attorney-General)

Visit www.premier.vic.gov.au for more news

 

my name is Rikki Arney,

I am writting to you in hope my message will be heard, My 17yr

old son, Cameron Lowe's killer has been realeased from juvenille detention on monday 7th October.

 from  which I  received  a call from a  friend whom lives in Pakenham, victoria. 
 I could not believe it was true,  as i had not heard from homicide or the OPP of Victoria.

I rang the homicide detective (Nathan Toey) yesterday, after an upsetting returned call from

nathan he was shocked to tell me this thug has been released, The Office of prossecutin do have

 a petition at the High Court of Australia, to try to reinstate his original sentense.

Neither Nathan Toey or Jennifer Powell from the Victorian OPP office never knew that this thug

 was to be released soon even though his appeal had shortened his sentence, he was still meant

to have served more time than a pathetic 1 year and 14 days behind bars.  

 This decision that no one can understand has put myself and my children in a very distressed

 place, and it feels that camerons life has very little value in this system.

 Yet this problem of one punch deaths is getting more and more out of control and is happening

 more often in our society. We Need to tougher penalties for thugs!!! 

Regards, 
        Rikki Arney 

 Enough is Enough, its time to stand strong and serve tougher penalties for THUGS!! 
 Keep our children SAFE!!

UNFOUNDED excuses offered by so-called expert witnesses in criminal trials that fly in the face of the evidence are likely to be tossed out of court if the Victorian Government takes up the suggestions of a senior judge.

Attorney-General Robert Clark says County Court judge Joe Gullaci has made it clear that courts should be entitled to reject expert evidence when it is not supported by the facts.

Mr Clark is happy to consider changes to laws regarding evidence. Judge Gullaci is also being supported by County Court Chief Judge Michael Rozenes, who agrees there is a concerning trend of spinning the evidence on behalf of clients.

Crime Victims Support Association president Noel McNamara wants a register of professional witnesses who are paid for what they say. The Herald Sun points to cases today where highly unlikely excuses have been offered in court.

Such as the expert witness who said a contract killer never intended to murder his victim, but panicked when he was recognised. The man suffered from a disorder that affected his ability to make rational decisions, said the psychologist, in spite of evidence the accused was wearing a balaclava and planned weeks before to murder for money.

Expert witnesses should disclose whether they have been paid and should be required to give substantial written reports.

Community criticism of Warrnambool court appeals echoes far and wide Save

By ANDREW THOMSON

Sept. 24, 2012, 4 a.m.

• Judge Bill Stuart: a former defence lawyer.

THE performance of a new County Court judge sitting in Warrnambool will be brought to the attention of the state attorney general by a leading victims of crime advocate.

<a href=”http://ad-apac.doubleclick.net/jump/onl.fairfaxregional/warrnamboolstandard/news/localnews;ctype=article;cat=warrnamboolstandard;cat1=news;cat2=localnews;region=warrnambool;locstate=vic;pos=1;tile=1;sz=xxxx;ord=21368483?“><img src=”http://ad-apac.doubleclick.net/ad/onl.fairfaxregional/warrnamboolstandard/news/localnews;ctype=article;cat=warrnamboolstandard;cat1=news;cat2=localnews;region=warrnambool;locstate=vic;pos=1;tile=1;sz=xxxx;ord=21368483?” width=”300″ height=”250″ /></a>See your ad here

Crime Victims Support Association president Noel McNamara has vowed to approach the Attorney-General Robert Clark after a month-long sitting in Warrnambool presided over by Judge Bill Stuart.

Judge Stuart heard 23 appeals in the month-long sitting which finished last Friday.

Three appeals were abandoned after Judge Stuart warned appellants they could receive harsher penalties.

Another three appellants had their charges completely dismissed.

Of the remaining 17 appeals every appellant received a lesser penalty.

Twelve appellants who were sentenced to immediate jail terms now no longer have to go to prison.

Mr McNamara was clear about his view of the raw statistics.

“That’s a disgrace,” he said. “It shows the bloke is completely out of touch. It’s some of the most startling re-sentencing I have ever heard about.

“That information has to be passed on to the Attorney General Robert Clark and (I) will make sure he hears about what’s been going on at Warrnambool.”

Mr McNamara said Judge Stuart had been a leading defence lawyer.

“He’s never been on the right side of the law. Defence lawyers are bleeding hearts, they have to be to justify their conscience because of what they do,” he said.

“They spend their lives discrediting good witnesses and then someone appoints them to be judges.”

Mr McNamara said good judges had to be trained and not just appointed, like they are in other parts of the world such as France.

“We need to try and get a better system. Clearly Judge Stuart should be doing civil matters,” he said.

Experienced Warrnambool City councillor Michael Neoh said the community was concerned about inconsistency or perceived inconsistency when higher-level judicial officers disagreed with local rulings.

He said he did not think it was appropriate to criticise local magistrates.

Cr Neoh added that the regular Warrnambool magistrate Jonathan Klestadt lived locally and had a feel for the community and community expectations in relation to sentencing.

Cr Peter Hulin said he believed the whole legal system needed to be reviewed.

Warrnambool mayor Jacinta Ermacora said sentencing was complex.

“In sentencing, courts are obliged to comply with sentencing law, precedents and other complexities, however the running of the court system must instil community confidence in the fairness of the justice handed down,” she said.

Warrnambool police In-spector Kevin Archer refused to be drawn into the debate surrounding the appeal decisions of Judge Stuart, which have led to outrage among senior police officers.

He said it was the role of police to put together the best possible briefs of evidence.

“Our job finishes when we put accused persons and that evidence before the suitable jurisdiction,” he said.

***

A selection of cases and their outcomes during the recent sitting of the County Court in Warrnambool.

Sarah Ryan, 32, of Glenthompson: seven charges of passing valueless cheques — received a three-month jail sentence to be followed by a 15-month community corrections order with 50 hours of work.

New penalty: not convicted and placed on a six-month good behaviour bond.

Sarah Jane Davies, 32, of Hamilton: driving while disqualified and breaching a suspended sentence — received four months’ imprisonment with one month to serve and three months suspended for 24 months.

New penalty: 12-month good behaviour bond.

Lindsay White, 49, of Warrnambool: dealing in property suspected of being the proceeds of crime ($450 in cash) and two counts of possessing cannabis — received two months in jail.

New penalty: $300 fine.

William Filliponi, 29, of Portland: burglaries, thefts and causing criminal damage — received 23 months’ imprisonment with nine months to serve before being eligible for parole.

New penalty: placed on a three-year community corrections order with 200 hours of work.

Bronwyn Nuku, 28, of Portland: pleaded guilty to stalking, unlawful assault and possessing cannabis — received nine months’ imprisonment with three months to serve and six months suspended for two years. Fined $800.

New penalty: placed on a three-year community directions order, no work and fines cut to $200.

Alistair Steff, 41, of Hamilton: recklessly causing injury, unlawful assault and making threat — received 12 months’ imprisonment with four months to serve immediately.

New penalty: placed on a two-year community corrections order to do 300 hours of work.

Brendon Beavis, 49, of Heywood: careless driving, driving while disqualified and breaching a suspended sentence — received four months’ imprisonment and a nine-month community based order with the condition he do 60 hours of work.

New penalty: an 18-month community corrections order with the condition he perform 90 hours of community work.

Jessica Baker, 25, of Cobden: drink-driving (.105) — received a conviction and $525 fine and her driver’s licence was cancelled for 10 months.

New decision: charge dismissed.

Cobden’s Trevor Clarke, 41: exceeding the speed limit (110 km/h in a 60 km/h zone) — received a conviction and $650 fine. His licence was suspended for 12 months.

New decision:  charge dismissed.

 

Noel McNamara is one of  Hinch’s biggest supporters and has worked closely to champion the rights of victims of crime and supporting Hinch’s campaign to name sex offenders.

Mr McNamara said last week sacking came as a complete shock to the Crime Victims Support Association.

“I personally have known Derryn for over 20 years, and I have to say he would be one of the most honourable men that I have known in my time, true to his word and where their is a wrong, doing all in his power to put it right without fear or favour,” Mr McNamara said.

“The best way to affect a powerful place like 3AW is the hip pocket, so my humble suggestion is we place an immediate embargo on the afternoon drive show only.”

Mr McNamara also called on Hinch fans to avoid any products advertised on the network until Hinch’s contract is extended.

3AW station manager Shane Healy declined to comment on the campaign.

 

 

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/boycott-3aw-until-hinch-is-reinstated-says-top-victims-of-crime-advocate/story-fndo2dsc-1226466972341

To make Justice a right not a Privilege

Greetings to All

The sacking of Derryn Hinch who was the leading drive by presenter in Victoria came as a complete shock to all of us at CVSA and to our supporters an friends, as the man who put himself on the line for us all who have been affected by heinous crimes. I personally have known Derryn for over 20 years, and I have to say he would be one of the most honorable men that I have known in my time, true to his word and where their is a wrong, doing all in his power to put it right without fear or favor. Now who could forget the day at Parliament House steps where all of us their named the two disgusting deviate sex offenders that the judiciary were hell bent on protecting their identity,the CTC cameras were going full steam and out of all of us their the only one pick out to prosecute or make an example of was Derryn. Many of you have contacted me to ask what we can do to support the victims hero who we owe so much to for the help he as given to us. The best way to effect a power full place like 3AW is the hip pocket, so my humble suggestion is we place an immediate embargo on the afternoon drive show only, and all products advertised on a 24 hours a day till Derryn is back on drive time.

Noel McNamara