Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Home detention sentence for Urewera pair

Updated at 2:29 pm on 21 June 2012

Two of the people convicted in the Urewera raids case have been sentenced to nine months home detention.

Emily Bailey and her partner Urs Signer were given a nine-month sentence last month but the case was adjourned pending probation reports on the suitability of home detention.

Two others, Tame Iti and Te Rangikaiwhiria Kemara, were last month given jail terms of two years and six months.

All four were convicted in March of the illegal possession of firearms and restricted weapons in Te Urewera National Park in 2007.

At the High Court in Auckland on Thursday, Justice Hansen said the couple would serve the nine month sentence at home.

He told the court Department of Corrections' reports showed that their Taranaki home was a suitable location and that their nine-month sentence could begin on Friday.

Speaking outside the court, Signer said although they'd rather serve their sentences at their Parihaka home than in prison, they are still angry at the outcome.

He says the whole case has been a travesty of justice.

Bailey's sister, Lucy Bailey, says the couple are relieved at being able to serve their sentence at home, but says nine months is still too long for something they haven't done.

Lawyers for the pair say their clients are exhausted by the drawn out process but still plan to appeal against their sentences and convictions.

The four were among 18 people originally arrested in police raids in Auckland, Wellington and the Bay of Plenty in 2007.

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