Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 26, 2011 21:56:32 GMT 12
16 Linton cases in decade
JESSICA SUTTON Last updated 12:33 04/03/2011
Manawatu's Linton Army Camp has tried more soldiers in courts martial than any other military base in New Zealand in the past 11 years.
But Linton is New Zealand's largest military base and on a population basis, soldiers there have been relatively well-behaved.
Figures released to the Manawatu Standard under the Official Information Act show the Defence Force has held 70 courts martial across the three sectors – army, navy and air force – since 2000.
Sixteen of the army trials were held at Linton Army Camp for crimes such as assault and striking a person of lower rank.
The other trials were at Trentham Military Camp, Wellington (15), Waiouru Military Camp (7), Burnham Military Camp (7), the Whenuapai air force base in Auckland (1), the naval base at Devonport, Auckland (1), and two trials were overseas.
A court martial is the military equivalent of a civilian court, which tries cases where a breach of military discipline or other offences may have occurred.
Linton Army Camp 2nd Land Force Group Commander Colonel Howard Duffy said every court martial was disappointing.
"Regrettably, as in the civilian world, not everyone behaves as we would hope; some of the offences that go to trial are for mistakes that wouldn't result in a trial in civilian courts."
Linton is responsible for almost two thirds of the country's army.
"So while the number may seem high, it is in effect only reflective of the number of people I have responsibility for, rather than a higher rate of alleged offending."
Possible sentences under a court martial are prison and automatic dismissal from the forces, detention at Burnham military prison or within other camps, demotion, severe reprimand or a fine.
The information request revealed that from 2000 to 2010 there were 49 army courts martial, 16 navy and three air force. There was none at the Ohakea air force base.
Colonel Duffy said court martial offences included prejudicing service discipline and not following orders.
"From the outset, every single member of the army knows what is right and wrong, and the process that will be followed if they don't follow the rules.
"We constantly train and advise our people of their responsibilities, but we can't control an individual's choice."
In the past 10 years, the New Zealand Defence Force has spent about $1 million on courts martial.
The average cost of a court martial to the taxpayer is about $15,000. It costs about $20,000 for a jury trial in a civilian district court.
Legal aid also applies in a court martial setting, but the accused has to pay 3 per cent of their annual gross income. However, this payment can often be waived, depending on the circumstances. Lawyers are then assigned, as in a civilian court.
Manawatu Standard
www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/4731526/16-Linton-cases-in-decade
JESSICA SUTTON Last updated 12:33 04/03/2011
Manawatu's Linton Army Camp has tried more soldiers in courts martial than any other military base in New Zealand in the past 11 years.
But Linton is New Zealand's largest military base and on a population basis, soldiers there have been relatively well-behaved.
Figures released to the Manawatu Standard under the Official Information Act show the Defence Force has held 70 courts martial across the three sectors – army, navy and air force – since 2000.
Sixteen of the army trials were held at Linton Army Camp for crimes such as assault and striking a person of lower rank.
The other trials were at Trentham Military Camp, Wellington (15), Waiouru Military Camp (7), Burnham Military Camp (7), the Whenuapai air force base in Auckland (1), the naval base at Devonport, Auckland (1), and two trials were overseas.
A court martial is the military equivalent of a civilian court, which tries cases where a breach of military discipline or other offences may have occurred.
Linton Army Camp 2nd Land Force Group Commander Colonel Howard Duffy said every court martial was disappointing.
"Regrettably, as in the civilian world, not everyone behaves as we would hope; some of the offences that go to trial are for mistakes that wouldn't result in a trial in civilian courts."
Linton is responsible for almost two thirds of the country's army.
"So while the number may seem high, it is in effect only reflective of the number of people I have responsibility for, rather than a higher rate of alleged offending."
Possible sentences under a court martial are prison and automatic dismissal from the forces, detention at Burnham military prison or within other camps, demotion, severe reprimand or a fine.
The information request revealed that from 2000 to 2010 there were 49 army courts martial, 16 navy and three air force. There was none at the Ohakea air force base.
Colonel Duffy said court martial offences included prejudicing service discipline and not following orders.
"From the outset, every single member of the army knows what is right and wrong, and the process that will be followed if they don't follow the rules.
"We constantly train and advise our people of their responsibilities, but we can't control an individual's choice."
In the past 10 years, the New Zealand Defence Force has spent about $1 million on courts martial.
The average cost of a court martial to the taxpayer is about $15,000. It costs about $20,000 for a jury trial in a civilian district court.
Legal aid also applies in a court martial setting, but the accused has to pay 3 per cent of their annual gross income. However, this payment can often be waived, depending on the circumstances. Lawyers are then assigned, as in a civilian court.
Manawatu Standard
www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/4731526/16-Linton-cases-in-decade
