A judge was so concerned about a rural Otago youth's predatory sexual offending, he had the case transferred to the Dunedin District Court. Because he was 16 when some of the offences took place, the case originally came before the Youth Court but Judge Kevin Phillips said the penalties he could impose in that jurisdiction were inadequate to reflect the offending. Judge Phillips said he knew the girl's age, despite claims to the contrary. "I don't accept anyone would think that," Judge Phillips said. Judge Phillips called the victims "very brave people" and said the impact on them as they grew into womanhood and formed relationships was yet to be discovered.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 01, 2018 16:06 UTC