Convicted child sex abuser Stephen Mitchell's lawyers are set to argue for a reduced sentence. It has prompted calls for a change to legislation

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Stephen Mitchell was sentenced to 13 years in jail for abusing six girls during his time as a national rock climbing coach, but his sentence may be reduced after a hearing this week.

Convicted child sex abuser Stephen Mitchell's lawyers are set to argue for a reduced sentence. It has prompted calls for a change to legislationThe Canberra Liberals are supporting an ACT government push to review a law that may see a child sex abuser's sentence reduced.

Mitchell's lawyers will argue that the court used the wrong maximum penalty when calculating its sentence for three charges against him.A glitch in legislation means convicted sex offender Stephen Mitchell's prison sentence is likely to be slashed. The women at the centre of the case are lobbying the ACT government to ensure the same thing doesn't happen to others.

"No one should be punished more severely now than would have been possible at the time of the offence," the court said at the time.The case set a precedent, which means the DPP had no choice but to concede to Mitchell's appeal and allow the re-sentencing hearing to go ahead. Mr Rattenbury said the government was investigating whether further legislative changes could fix the problem."I admire their courage and strength and am appalled by the crimes committed against them."

"If there are gaps, then I will certainly be bringing them to the attention of the Attorney-General, like I would in any area of law that involves my office," Ms Engel said.Victims of convicted child sex offender shocked to learn his sentence to be slashed 'We have reached saturation point on consultation': Experts call for action to address gendered violenceThe RBA is warning of stubborn inflation, but Chalmers knows 'slashing and burning' in the budget could spell disasterFlooding on cards for parts of NSW as rain tipped to continue falling into this weekend

Source: Law Daily Report (lawdailyreport.net)

Canberra Local News Local Child Sexual Abuse Sexual Abuse Law Courts ACT Politics Rock Climbing Victim-Survivors Bail Laws Sentencing Laws

 

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