NSW government to announce review of sentences for domestic violence killers

EXCLUSIVE: An independent review of the sentences given to domestic ­violence killers will be ­announced by the NSW government today after a Daily Telegraph campaign exposed­ a pattern of lenient punishments being handed down to murderers who kill their partners.

• Killers spared life in jail
• Three dead in four days of domestic violence

An independent review of the sentences given to domestic ­violence killers will be ­announced by the NSW government today after a Daily Telegraph campaign exposed­ a pattern of lenient punishments being handed down to murderers who kill their partners.

The state government has asked the Sentencing Council to conduct the review, which will investigate the laws relating to life sentences and look at whether tougher non-parole periods are needed in murder and manslaughter cases.

The remains of a home set alight by a man who then locked his wife in the bedroom where she died in the fire as her sons watched on helplessly.

And the review will be used to guide a potential rethink of laws to ensure courts have the ability to lock up the worst killers for life.

Family members of victims will be invited to speak to the council and homicide support  groups will be asked to refer people.

Minister for Prevention of Domestic Violence Pru Goward. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

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The government has asked the council to focus on what “sentencing principles” are ­applied in cases involving domestic and family violence.

The husband, who can only be identified as AKB, repeatedly pushed his wife back into a burning bedroom before locking the door and prevented his son from trying to save his mother. Picture: Bill Hearne

Amir Darbanou stabbed his wife Nasrin Abek 60 times in their Potts Point apartment. Picture: Facebook

It comes after The Telegraph’s Life for a Life campaign revealed that out of more than 150 cases in NSW since 1991 there had never been a case where someone ­received a life sentence solely for killing their female partner.

In one recent case a judge said he could not give a life sentence to a man who burnt his wife to death in front of their two young sons because he had killed his partner not a stranger.

Another killer, who bashed his ex-partner to death, received a sentence of just 13 years non-parole because the judge said he had PTSD from his previous time in jail.

Miming Listiyani was murdered by ex-boyfriend Khanh Thanh Ly who dumped her body in the Parramatta River.

Attorney-General Mark Speakman and Minister for Prevention of Domestic Violence Pru Goward will make the review ann­ouncement at today’s White Ribbon Day walk at Coogee.

“The Sentencing Council will examine how sentencing decisions affect families of homicide victims and the devastating impact of domestic ­violence on the community,” Mr Speakman said.

“This review will consider the laws relating to life sentences for murder and whether the 20-year standard non-parole period for murder should be increased. Standard non-parole periods provide an ­important legislative guidepost for judges.”

limbs.

Amir Darbanou murdered his wife in a jealous rage. Picture: Facebook

Nasrin Abek. Nasrin Abek was allegedly murdered by her husband Amir Darbanou in their Potts Point unit. Photo: Facebook

Ms Goward said while the review would examine sentencing principles used for all types of manslaughter and murder, the council had been asked to focus on whether domestic ­violence killers were receiving appropriate sentences.

“The results of the review will provide the NSW government with guidance on potential law ­reform,” she said.

“We want to make sure the courts have all the powers they need to impose appropriate sentences on killers … and can lock up the worst for life.”

Mokhtar Hosseiniamraei stabbed his wife Leila Alavi in her car with a pair of scissors because she left him.

Jodie wasn’t just murdered, she was slaughtered

It’s seven years since Muriel Jurd lost her daughter Jodie but the pain is still as raw as the day it happened.

A popular nurse, Jodie was murdered in 2011 by her abusive ex-partner Robert Bretherton who stabbed her 12 times.

Bretherton was sentenced to a non-parole period of 15 years and nine months in 2013.

Ms Jurd said she believed it was “long overdue” that judges started giving life sentences to domestic violence killers.

Muriel Jurd with her daughter Jodie Jurd, who was murdered by her ex-partner Robert Bretherton.

“Jodie wasn’t just murdered she was slaughtered (and) he showed no remorse at all,” Ms Jurd said.

Popular nurse Jodie Jurd.

“The whole family was shattered when this happened, Jodie was a district nurse, she was well loved and had a mile of friends.”

“The courts don’t look at that, they don’t look at what friends and family go through when this sort of thing happens.”

Jodie’s father Norm died from a suspected heart attack about a year after Bretherton was found guilty.

Ms Jurd blames the stress of Jodie’s murder and the court case for her husband’s death.

“She was his only daughter and he was heartbroken. As far as I’m concerned he (Bretherton) has taken two lives from my family.”

Noticing the early warning signs

White Ribbon will today call for more funding for early intervention domestic violence programs to be run in schools, workplaces and community groups.

The domestic violence charity’s acting chief executive Delia Donovan told The Daily Telegraph they were using White Ribbon Day to put the focus on identifying warning signs early.

This year in Australia 63 women have been killed by men known to them.

“This is one of the most critical social issues in this country, this is terror in our homes and in what should be our safe spaces,” Ms Donovan said.

“Every jurisdiction has gaps and the system is failing women and children. It is also failing to identify men’s behaviour and the warning signs early enough to intervene.”

“We know that primary prevention works when men and young boys are involved in evidence-based programs that are embedded in their communities of trust.

“There needs to be significantly more funding for programs in schools, workplaces and community groups, which target all aspects of men’s behaviour towards women.”

White Ribbon Day 2018 will focus on identifying warning signs early.

“Together” is the theme of White Ribbon Day this year, so themed because the not-for-profit group believes the only way forward is for the community to have zero tolerance for disrespect and abuse.”

Ms Donovan said there was no single cause for violence against women.

“Key causes include beliefs and behaviours reflecting disrespect for women, low support for gender equality and adherence to rigid or stereotypical gender roles, relations and identities,” Ms Donovan added.

“Fundamentally, it is about men respecting women. When respect for women increases, violence against women and children decreases.

“We urge all men to stand up, speak out and act to stop violence against women and children.”