“I acknowledge that, but it is not so much a reflection of remorse, in my view, as a reflection of reality,” Judge Harding said. Judge Harding agreed to the Crown’s proposed starting point, and turned his attention to any discounts available, particularly for Smith’s young age at the time. “You were employed, you had a wife, you had a young child. Judge Harding also said Smith’s health issues could be “actively dealt with within the prison system”. Judge Harding made an order for emotional harm reparation of $20,000, but acknowledged it had already been paid.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 01, 2026 04:03 UTC