guardian.co.uk

LIKE MANY KIWIS, THIS ‘TV HOST GETTING OFF CHILD SEX CHARGES BECAUSE HE IS FUNNY AND HAS SUFFERED ENOUGH’ IS STAYING WITH ME. THE JUDGE REALLY SEEMS TO HAVE SET AN AWFUL PRECEDENT WITH HER JUDGEMENT……

A well-known comedian and entertainer who performed a sex act on his four-year-old daughter has been discharged without conviction despite pleading guilty.
The man, who has permanent name suppression, appeared in Auckland District Court today for sentence before Judge Philippa Cunningham.
The man had demonstrated significant remorse and had taken all steps to ensure that he would not reoffend.
The judge said despite suppression orders it was widely known in his industry who he was.
“He must have significant strength of character to deal with all of that.”
A “small telephone book” of references described him in glowing terms.
“He’s a talented New Zealander. He makes people laugh and laughter’s a good medicine that we all need a lot of.”
The judge said voluntary community work would be a condition of his discharge but it could be carried out using the comedian’s “talents” in rest homes or schools.
“There’s plenty of material around with the World Cup,” she said.

THE VIEW SEEMS TO BE THAT SINCE HE WAS DRUNK AND DOES NOT REMEMBER THE INCIDENT IT IS FINE FOR HIM TO BE DISCHARGED WITHOUT CONVICTION. BUT PEOPLE KILL OTHERS WHEN DRUNK, SO DOES THAT MEAN FROM NOW ON, IF THEY ARE ‘FAMOUS AND FUNNY’ THEY WILL GET OFF FOR THAT REASON? THIS CASE IS JUST SO GROSS, BUT IN THE END I THINK THE MAN SHOULD HAVE SPENT SOME TIME INSIDE.