Pihema v Police

[2017] NZHC 1650

IN THE HIGH COURT OF NEW ZEALAND NEW PLYMOUTH REGISTRY

CRI-2017-443-11 [2017] NZHC 1650

BETWEEN

JAMIE WILLIAM PIHEMA

Appellant

AND

NEW ZEALAND POLICE Respondent

Hearing:	18 July 2017
Counsel:	J M Woodcock for Appellant G N Milne for Respondent
Judgment:	18 July 2017

RESULTS JUDGMENT OF THOMAS J

[1]      The  appellant,  Mr Pihema,  has  been  in  custody  since  16 March 2017 effectively having served an eight month sentence of imprisonment.   He appeals against  a  sentence  of  imprisonment  imposed  on  27 April 2017  for  10  and  a half months’.     The  respondent  accepts  there  was  an  error  in  the  sentencing. Ms Milne submits a final sentence of eight months’ imprisonment would have been open  to  the sentencing  Judge.    For the appellant,  Ms Woodcock  submits  that  a sentence between four to six months would be appropriate.

[2]      Written reasons will be provided but in my assessment a final sentence of six months’ imprisonment  is  the  correct  one.    For  those  reasons  the  appeal  is allowed.   The sentence of 10 and a half months’ imprisonment is quashed.   It is replaced by a sentence of six months’ imprisonment.  No release conditions.

Thomas J

Solicitors:

Crown Solicitors’ Office, New Plymouth

PIHEMA v POLICE [2017] NZHC 1650 [18 July 2017]