The kidnapping case that could keep an offender behind bars for life

A Christchurch kidnapping and sexual assault has resulted in one of New Zealand’s harshest sentences: preventive detention.

The offender had close to 60 previous convictions and had spent decades behind bars. But what makes a judge decide an ordinary prison sentence is no longer enough?

On Case by Case, Jane Yee speaks with Open Justice reporters Al Williams and Ric Stevens about the case, how preventive detention works, who can receive it, and why the sentence has raised human rights concerns.

Case by Case is a New Zealand Herald podcast from the Open Justice team, with support from New Zealand On Air.

New episodes every Tuesday at 5.30PM NZT

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