Australian deportation rule queried

A judge has questioned the justice of Australia’s policy of deporting offenders after a 22-year-old rapidly got himself into more trouble after being sent back to New Zealand.

Christchurch District Court Judge Raoul Neave said he ‘‘had to wonder about the overall justice of the Australian policy’’ but it was outside his jurisdiction and was not appropriate to make further comment.

He said he imagined the deportation had left Koronui Teaurere, of Rangiora, ‘‘rather adrift’’ while he tried to rebuild his life far from his family and friends.

Teaurere did not have a lengthy history of offending in Australia, and appeared to have got in trouble because of his drug and alcohol issues.

The deportation had a ‘‘catastrophic’’ effect on his life.

‘‘The isolation that must have resulted from the separation from loved ones in Australia is not something that is going to be easily got over, although it doesn’t justify your offending,’’ the judge said.

Teaurere had admitted the burglary of a house in Burwood in September, along with two other offenders. Teaurere also admitted the theft of a pack from a St John ambulance.

Defence counsel Philip Watts said the pre-sentence report assessed Teaurere as a high risk of reoffending, but it noted his remorse and willingness to undergo rehabilitation.

Judge Neave reduced his sentence for his youth, his willingness to attend a restorative justice conference, his rehabilitation prospects, and his guilty pleas.

He imposed eight months of home detention at his brother’s address in Rangiora, with an additional six months of special conditions. He ordered him to pay $500 to St John.