NSW: Government, opposition support life jail for pack rapes

AAP General News (Australia)
08-26-2001
NSW: Government, opposition support life jail for pack rapes

Tough new laws to put pack rapists in jail for life look certain to come into force
in New South Wales with opposition leader KERRY CHIKAROVSKI pledging support for the government
crackdown.

Premier BOB CARR has announced his government is drafting new laws to increase the
maximum penalty for gang rapes from 20 years to life.

The move follows community outrage at the leniency of sentences handed down to two
brothers last week for a pack rape last year in Sydney's south-west.

Both political leaders say the courts need to take greater account of the community's
condemnation of pack rapes.

Neither will support laws to force judges to impose certain jail terms but Mrs CHIKAROVSKI
says judges must have the option of life sentencing available to them in appropriate circumstances.

AAP RTV gmw/jh

KEYWORD: GANGS (SYDNEY)

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