Angela Harlem
Jesus Online
Does anyone think this is too harsh? I dont.
http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,4909650%5E701,00.html
55 YEARS FOR GANG RAPE
16aug02
They were a pack of youths who terrorised women during a series of violent sex attacks. Yesterday, the gang's ringleader was brought to justice. CINDY WOCKNER reports
HE IS a "menace to any civilised society". Yesterday he was jailed for a maximum 55 years.
In one of the heaviest non-life sentences ever handed down in NSW, the 20-year-old man ? the ringleader in a series of gang rapes ? stared justice in the face.
Judge Michael Finnane sentenced him to a minimum non-parole term of 40 years for his role in three separate gang rapes on four young victims committed 20 days apart in Sydney's west in August 2000.
In a damning sentence Judge Finnane said the man, known only as X, was: "A liar, a bully, a coward, callous and mean . . . a menace to any civilised society."
In regard to one rape, where the 16-year-old victim was staked to the ground by up to a dozen men and raped by X and another man, Judge Finnane said: "[X] and others treated her much like wild animals treat prey they have just killed."
As he announced the 40-year non-parole period, there was uproar in the public gallery, where X's mother screamed before collapsing. X's girlfriend sat in shocked disbelief.
Judge Finnane told X he would not be eligible for parole until February 11, 2040.
"At that stage he will have been in custody 40 years. Hopefully he will no longer be a menace to society. The offender may be removed."
X stood up, looked directly at Judge Finnane and said: "I am innocent, I retain my innocence to the day I die you c . . ."
Throughout the sentence hearing X had acted nothing like a man about to lose at least 40 years of his life, laughing, joking, smirking and gesturing to his girlfriend and family members.
It was a fact not lost upon the judge, who noted he had shown no contrition, no remorse "just a straight out contempt for the court proceedings".
"I see no reason to give him the benefit of any reduction in his parole period," Judge Finnane said. "[X] was the leader of a brutal gang of rapists who, on three occasions, raped four young women. His actions and those of his gang spread terror in Sydney in August, 2000, just before the start of the Olympic Games."
Crown Prosecutor Margaret Cunneen had earlier submitted to the court: "These horrific gang rapes really have left an indelible stain on the criminal history of NSW and on the psyche of citizens of this state."
Ms Cunneen said the behaviour of the males involved was not civilised, in a society where "women have had a long struggle to achieve equality".
During submissions, Judge Finnane said X's family, who had done nothing wrong, and the Lebanese community, were not to be condemned by the actions of a few.
But he noted the rapists, by asking the victim's nationality and making such comments as "I'm going to f . . . you Leb style", calling one victim an "Aussie pig" and asking one whether "Leb cock" tasted better than Aussie cock" had injected racism into the crimes.
"By their own actions and their own words they have drawn this completely unique slur on their own culture; by asking some of the victims do they like it Leb style and words to that effect, suggesting that in some way they themselves are part of some separate group that is not really part of this community . . . they are wreaking revenge on the other group, the Australian group, if you like. They are the ones that created this totally false scenario," Judge Finnane said.
Judge Finnane commended the victims for their courage, the investigating police for an inquiry of the highest order and the DPP and the defence for their conduct during the trial.
http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,4909650%5E701,00.html
55 YEARS FOR GANG RAPE
16aug02
They were a pack of youths who terrorised women during a series of violent sex attacks. Yesterday, the gang's ringleader was brought to justice. CINDY WOCKNER reports
HE IS a "menace to any civilised society". Yesterday he was jailed for a maximum 55 years.
In one of the heaviest non-life sentences ever handed down in NSW, the 20-year-old man ? the ringleader in a series of gang rapes ? stared justice in the face.
Judge Michael Finnane sentenced him to a minimum non-parole term of 40 years for his role in three separate gang rapes on four young victims committed 20 days apart in Sydney's west in August 2000.
In a damning sentence Judge Finnane said the man, known only as X, was: "A liar, a bully, a coward, callous and mean . . . a menace to any civilised society."
In regard to one rape, where the 16-year-old victim was staked to the ground by up to a dozen men and raped by X and another man, Judge Finnane said: "[X] and others treated her much like wild animals treat prey they have just killed."
As he announced the 40-year non-parole period, there was uproar in the public gallery, where X's mother screamed before collapsing. X's girlfriend sat in shocked disbelief.
Judge Finnane told X he would not be eligible for parole until February 11, 2040.
"At that stage he will have been in custody 40 years. Hopefully he will no longer be a menace to society. The offender may be removed."
X stood up, looked directly at Judge Finnane and said: "I am innocent, I retain my innocence to the day I die you c . . ."
Throughout the sentence hearing X had acted nothing like a man about to lose at least 40 years of his life, laughing, joking, smirking and gesturing to his girlfriend and family members.
It was a fact not lost upon the judge, who noted he had shown no contrition, no remorse "just a straight out contempt for the court proceedings".
"I see no reason to give him the benefit of any reduction in his parole period," Judge Finnane said. "[X] was the leader of a brutal gang of rapists who, on three occasions, raped four young women. His actions and those of his gang spread terror in Sydney in August, 2000, just before the start of the Olympic Games."
Crown Prosecutor Margaret Cunneen had earlier submitted to the court: "These horrific gang rapes really have left an indelible stain on the criminal history of NSW and on the psyche of citizens of this state."
Ms Cunneen said the behaviour of the males involved was not civilised, in a society where "women have had a long struggle to achieve equality".
During submissions, Judge Finnane said X's family, who had done nothing wrong, and the Lebanese community, were not to be condemned by the actions of a few.
But he noted the rapists, by asking the victim's nationality and making such comments as "I'm going to f . . . you Leb style", calling one victim an "Aussie pig" and asking one whether "Leb cock" tasted better than Aussie cock" had injected racism into the crimes.
"By their own actions and their own words they have drawn this completely unique slur on their own culture; by asking some of the victims do they like it Leb style and words to that effect, suggesting that in some way they themselves are part of some separate group that is not really part of this community . . . they are wreaking revenge on the other group, the Australian group, if you like. They are the ones that created this totally false scenario," Judge Finnane said.
Judge Finnane commended the victims for their courage, the investigating police for an inquiry of the highest order and the DPP and the defence for their conduct during the trial.