A Christchurch woman whose former husband tried to strangle her
is distraught she was denied the chance to speak out at his
sentencing because of a mix-up.
The Ministry of Justice has apologised for the oversight but for
the victim that will never be enough.
Therese Spinks had found the strength to give a statement in an open court for the sentencing of her ex-husband James Hunia Johnson who was found guilty of assaulting and trying to strangle her.
However, she was overlooked and never got that chance.
"For me that was going to be closure and now I don't have it, and I don't know how to get it, people say move on with your life...easier said than done," she says.
Her friend Yvonne Aldridge says the judge, the prosecuting officer and everyone knew she wanted to stand up and read a statement.
The Ministry of Justice acknowledges it failed to notify her of a last minute courtroom change.
In fact the ministry has apologised repeatedly for what happened in court saying it recognises the distress Spinks has gone through. It delivered an apology to her in person, and a written apology from the judge himself.
The judge said in his apology that he assures Spinks he read her victim impact statement and took it into account when sentencing Johnson.
"I acknowledge and am grateful that the judge is willing to take some responsibility for this, but no it doesn't make up for it," says Spinks
Women's refuge believes she has been re-victimised.
"To be denied that opportunity and to feel let down and not understood just compounds the stress," says Annette Gillespie from Women's Refuge.
The justice minister is now looking at how victims can be better served by New Zealand courts.
