Three strikes may have prevented this

The Dom Post reports:

Notorious criminal John Gillies allegedly smashed into a man’s house, punched him on the jaw, then threatened to come after him with a bat.

But charges against him were dropped and Gillies was allowed to remain outside prison.

This all happened on parole. The charges were dropped as no witness would testify.

July 1993 – stabs Gisborne police officer Nigel Hendrikse in the neck, chest and thigh, leaving him fighting for his life. Hendrikse is permanently disabled. Gillies sentenced to 12 years prison.

That would have been strike one.

1995 – has two years and nine months added to his sentence for attacking his girlfriend while she visited him at Paremoremo prison.

And that would have been strike two.

May 2004 – arrested after a 3km police car chase at speeds of up to 170kmh in Hawke’s Bay. He assaulted officers, who found cocaine, methamphetamine and $21,040 cash in the car.

And that would be strike three. Maximum sentence with no parole. Instead:

2005 – sentenced to seven years prison.

February 2010 – parole declined after telling the Parole Board he had no intention of attending the Violence Prevention Unit.

May, 2011 – released on parole, a year early.

June 22, 2011 – breaches parole conditions. Comes back before parole board on August 15. Released again from October 14.

February 10, 2012 – charged with burglary, assault, threatening behaviour and breach of parole conditions. Recalled to prison.

April 5 – released under parole conditions after the charges were dropped when witness did not answer their summons. Convicted on charge of breaching his parole conditions, and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within six months.

Gillies has over 105 previous convictions. Who thinks he will no longer offend?

Remember it is Labour and Green policy to repeal the three strikes law.