R v N - [1998] 2 NZLR 272

Criminal law — Sentence — Appeal against suspended sentence — Respondent had pleaded guilty to seven charges of sexual violation and indecent assault — Solicitor-General argued that a sentence of two years was inappropriate — Whether offending was too serious to warrant non-custodial sentence — Whether special circumstances existed — Respondent was 14 at time of first offence — Respondent had himself been abused — Sentencing policy — Sentencing Judge had placed weight on desirability of rehabilitating respondent — Interests of the victims — Crimes Act 1961, s 128B(2).