R v Savage

The High Court of New Zealand heard the case of the Queen against Tewi Savage, who was found guilty of murdering his two-year-old daughter, Arnica, by drowning her in the Rangitaiki River. The court was required to decide on the appropriate sentence for Savage, considering the purposes and principles of sentencing, including accountability, denunciation, deterrence, and rehabilitation. The court considered the victim impact statements, Savage's personal circumstances, and his criminal history. The court also took into account Savage's mental health issues and the effect of his actions on his whānau.

The court decided that Savage's mental instability and illness at the time of the offending were mitigating factors, which made a 17-year minimum period of imprisonment manifestly unjust. The court found that Savage's disturbed mental state significantly contributed to his offending and reduced his level of culpability. Taking into account Savage's genuine remorse and sense of shame, the court imposed a sentence of life imprisonment with a minimum period of imprisonment of 14 years.

The final orders of the court were that Tewi Savage be sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum period of imprisonment of 14 years for the murder of his daughter, Arnica.